January 2009 - North Valley Community Connection
Transcription
January 2009 - North Valley Community Connection
Briefly Noted... After-School Programs at Granada Hills Recreation Center Running through June 2009, the bus pick-up program offers young students help with homework, and activities such as crafts and games after school, from 2:30 pm - 6 pm at the Granada Hills Recreation Center, 16730 Chatsworth St. in Granada Hills. For more info call Dwayne Finley (818) 363-3556 Youth Field Trip at the Getty Center on January 17th This youth field trip offers a chance to visit the Getty Center, one of the nation's great cultural centers, to see the world-class art exhibitions, architecture, spectacular views of the City and more. $15 fee includes round trip transportation. The bus departs from Northridge Recreation Center at 10 am, 18300 Lemarsh St. in Northridge. Call (818) 349-0535 for more information and reservations. Christmas Tree Recycling Residents can recycle Christmas trees at Recreation & Parks sites and Fire Stations throughout the City on Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Recreation & Parks sites also accept bulky gift packaging for recycling. To see all drop-off locations and instructions on how to recycle your tree in your green bin at home, visit www. ci.la.ca.us/san/tree-recycle.htm. Recreation & Parks sites will give a free green gift to every person who drops off a tree! www.NVCN.org Vol. 6, No. 2 January 2009 Serving the Communities of Northridge • Granada Hills By JERRY ASKEW Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council is leading the fight to prevent AT&T and other utilities from placing pole-mounted equip- ment cabinets on telephone poles. For many, the boxes are an eyesore and an inconvenience – for others, the boxes are downright deadly. Backup batteries have Chaminade Middle School Girls Volleyball Team Wins Championship Meet The Chaminade Middle School Girls Delphic Volleyball team captured its first ever Delphic League volleyball championship, beating Harvard-Westlake in two close games; 28-26 and 27-25. Coached by 13-year Chaminade veteran volleyball coach and assistant athletic director Mike Anderson, the team was anchored by its captains and 3year varsity starters, Rio Morigi (setter) and Reagan Clark (outside hitter). They faced tough competition from a Harvard-Westlake team led by its captain and hitter, Madison McAndrews. Morigi and McAndrews are club teammates with SCVA division 1 ranked Sunshine Volleyball Club in Santa Monica and Clark recently played for division 1 ranked Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Club. Contributing to Chaminade’s recording breaking season were Achieve Volleyball Club players Sophia Adcock, Jasmine Burton, Lauren Donohue, Hailey Hunter, Tara Edrisavi, Ava Rezai, and co-captain and Elite Volleyball Club player Laurel Weaver. The team was rounded out by athletes Robyn Brown, Laurie Lebrock, Brittany Solis (voted the school’s “most athletic 8th grader”), and Jessica-Rey Talavera. Free Sand and Bags Available Granada Hills Women’s Club & 30 Seconds to Curtain Present “The Life of Riley” and “The Aldrich Family,” special afternoon of oldtime entertainment on Sunday, Jan. 11. Doors open at 1:30 pm Show starts at 2:00 pm Granada Hills Women’s Club, 10666 White Oak Ave. in Granada Hills.Tickets: $10 for adults, free for kids under 12. For more info and reservations call Janet Garwood at (818) 886-2577. SPECIAL SECTION Planning for the Senior Years Starts on page 9 • North Hills Neighborhood Council Leads Opposition to Telephone Pole Mounted Equipment The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offers free flu vaccine shots at various locations. Call the LA County's information line at 211 to find the nearest location to receive a free flu vaccination. You can also find locations online at www.FindaFluShot.com. An Afternoon of Old Time Radio • Porter Ranch Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council Free Flu Shots All City Fire Stations have burlap bags and several have sand, that residents can pick up for free. The LAFD website lists all locations where free sand is available, as well as instructions on properly using sandbags at http://lafd. blogspot.com/2008/11/lafd-provides-sandbags-for-homeowners. html • Chatsworth exploded violently in incidents across the USA, leaving the metal boxes splayed and nearby homes destroyed. The City of Los Angeles addressed the proliferation of boxes by enacting the Above Ground Facilities (AGF) ordinance. The ordinance deals with boxes placed directly on the ground and provides for public notice and environmental reviews. Unfortunately, the ordinance carves out an exception for “Pole Mounted Facilities” or PMFs. The exception was intended to ensure that the ordinance was Continued on page 17 Northridge Middle School A.M.P. Family/Parent Center Opens Cutting the ribbon and celebrating the opening of the A.M.P. Family/ Parent Center at Northridge Middle School are Mitchell Englander, Chief of Staff for Greig Smith; Leah Brackins, Parent Community Facilitator, Local District 1; Marilu Pigliapoco, Assistant Principal; Martha Sandoval, Parent Community Facilitator; Pilar Rios, Parent Center Director; Judi Greenberg, Coordinator; Cornelia Romey, Assistant Principal, and Deborah Wiltz, Principal. The center, which will be open to parents for classes and assistance was named for three exceptional family-oriented teachers who left us too soon. Sue Ackermann was a math teacher who passed away in 2006 at the age of 32. Poppy Macias was an English teacher who just passed away in August at the age of 37 and Tom Parker was a Physical Education teacher who died in 2007 at the age of 59. Their last names combine for A.M.P. which also stands for “Achievement Minded Parents.” Opposes Housing Facility North Hills Neighborhood Council Says “No” to Vets NVCN Discovery CSUN Radio Station Has Something for Everyone By CRAIG STRAZZERI Whether you knew it or not, Cal Sate Northridge has had an award winning radio station for over 45 years now. KCSN-FM 88.5 is the home of CSUN’s very own radio station that is the only station in Los Angeles that offers an innovative format of classical art and authentic folk-based Americana music. The station can be heard throughout the San Fernando Valley. “People may not know this, but Continued on page 5 By THOM SENZEE A local neighborhood council has voted against supporting the building of a new housing facility for veterans in North Hills, because of fear that homeless nonveterans might be housed in their community. As one war rages and another promises to wind down with the coming of a new administration in the White House, thousands of American soldiers now serving in two Middle Eastern countries will soon be coming home to the U.S. In response, two nonprofit veterans-housing groups say they want to make the transition from active-duty to veteran status as stress-free as possible to those disabled during the wars by providing them affordable housing options in the North Valley. “There is currently no option in Continued on page 6 A Community Service Publication of the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce • (818) 349-5676 • www.nvrcc.com North Valley Community News (818) 534-1797 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.NVCN.org PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID STAR MAILING PAGE 2 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS JANUARY 2009 RonKayeLA.com What’s Missing From the Neighborhood Council Movement? Support our Advertisers… They make North Valley Community News possible! By RON KAYE Spawned by the City Charter reform nearly a decade ago, the network of some 85 Neighborhood Councils has a long way to go to achieve the empowerment of local communities that advocates had hope for. Progress has been hampered by changes in leadership in the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment which has often been perceived as obstructionist and divisive, by the lack of commitment from City Hall and by the charter itself which gave them only an advisory role. But most all the NCs have too often become bogged down in ego wars among its members and their inexperience in government -- symptoms that are common to people who for too long were treated like powerless colonials. Many effective people who got in initially have dropped out and pursued their activism through homeowner and resident groups or other organizations that have more dynamism and are not hamstrung by city rules. Too much talk, not enough action -- that is the most common complaint about NCs. There are, of course, many exceptions. In areas where the business community has joined with community activists and found support from their City Council member, the record of solving neighborhood problems and getting city bureaucrats to provide help is excellent. But the various coalitions of NCs in the Valley and elsewhere have become discussion groups and have rarely banded together and become an effective force for change. More than 70 recommendations have been put forward to change the system but from what I've seen in my seven months as an activist more than a journalist, the problem isn't going to solved by tinkering with the rules of governance. What's missing from the NC movement is the will to challenge City Hall head-on and exercise the latent power vested in NC members as government officials. Since I helped found the Saving L.A. Project as a loose coalition of all types of activist groups all across the city, I've met hundreds of NC members and hundreds of others involved in service clubs, issue-oriented groups and other local organizations engaged in business or volunteerism. L.A. is at a critical turning point, the point of no return. The nation's economic crisis and the fiscal crisis facing the city combined with long-term failures of City Hall and the school system have combined to create a dangerous situation where too many good jobs have left the city and the too many middle class residents along with them. Every challenge provides creative opportunity and I think that the moment for action has come. In every neighborhood, across the Valley and the city, there are thousands of people involved in working hard for the betterment of the community. They may hold different beliefs and may be focused on different goals but they share a fundament commitment to public service. It's that commitment to serving others for the common good that Neighborhood Councils are uniquely positions to tap into, Continued on page 5 JANUARY 2009 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS On the “Lighter” Side The Expiration Date By Barry Pascal, Pharm.D. Humorist, Satirist, and All-Around Nice Guy Even though we are starting a brand new year, 2009, with a brand new government, we still have many of the same old problems -- too many of our troops are in harms way, our stock markets are quite shaky, we continue to experience a falling dollar, our current economic crisis is resulting in a deepening recession and high unemployment, the housing crisis is accelerating, our domestic car companies are in big trouble, and the post office is talking about raising the price of stamps. So let’s forget about the New Year right now; how do we bury the old one? When I was a practicing pharmacist we had to worry about expiration dates on the medicines. We would send the drugs back to the manufacturer and get a brand new replacement package. We see these dates on food products also; items that have “no good after (this date)” need to be removed from shelves or refrigerators all the time. Now, we all know that it doesn’t exactly happen that way – that whatever is in the package is good on Tuesday but is not good on Wednesday and needs to be thrown out. However, in my opinion, it sure would be great if we could do that with last year – throw it out -- and really have a brand new year free of last year’s mess. So, why can’t “years” have expiration dates? This year, soon to be last year, expires on December 31st and we have to throw it out and start all over again on January 1st. Every New Year we would not just be celebrating a new year, but we would observe the end of the old year. And our current year, crummy 2008, is such a year. Let it expire and let’s get rid of it! Have Bernie Maddoff return all of the $50B he lost on the way home from the office. Let OJ Simpson tell Barbara Walters that he really did “do it” and he wants to spend more time in jail. Have all the banks reveal where all the money is hidden so that someone can start lending it. And let all our troops come home. Just let last year expire! My mom grew up in the depression era. That is another way of saying that she never throws anything away. Her medicine chest is a drug museum with medicines from the 60’s and 70’s, as well as over-thecounter products that are no longer made. My father passed away in 1987 and she still has an entire bottle of his heart medication. To her, expiration dates are just guidelines – give or take a decade or two. Throwing away a year would drive her into double menopause! However, considering what happened this year, I’d bet that even my mom would want to discard 2008. Now, I know everything is not that simple - buttermilk, for example. How do you know if it has gone bad, with or without an expiration date? Almost everyone I know has taken or used something that has expired. So, even if we let 2008 expire, some of the mess will linger just like that smell that stays in the house after you cook brussel sprouts. Here’s wishing all of us an end to 2008. I sure hope 2009 is such a good year that we will be asking each other if we can keep it even after it has expired. Happy New Year, everyone, and good riddance, 2008! About the Author - Barry Pascal, our recently deposed Honorary Sheriff and formerly overthrown Honorary Mayor, owned Northridge Pharmacy for 32 years and is now retired. He has written seven comedy books and writes a humorous column for the California Pharmacists Association Journal. He is currently at home trying to find the best anti-anxiety medication for each type of anxiety – unemployment, war, stock decline, subprime bailout, and Laker playoffs. © Barry Pascal December 2008 PAGE 3 Family Matters Will Your Child Make the Right Choices in Life? By NANCY CARTWRIGHT My daughter recently got married. She and her high school sweetheart tied the knot in August and are working together and making their own decisions now on a daily basis. My son, at 17, is still in high school and living at home and I continue to guide him, although I let him make most of his decisions based on “the greatest good for all,” and this has been an operating basis for me in raising them all along. So far he hasn’t held me to ransom and he hasn’t used the fact that I am the voice of Bart Simpson against me for which I am very grateful, however it does bring up the question: “What is the measurement of a parent’s success when it comes to raising a child?” I think we can all agree that if your child grows up to be happy, successful and knows how to make the right choices in life, you will have adequately fulfilled your role as a parent. Surely your child will make a few wrong decisions and choices along the rugged path of life, but if he has been taught well, he will make more positive and constructive choices than destructive and his happiness will be your measuring stick. We as parents are the guideposts, but at the same time, must allow our children to be selfdetermined, able to think for themselves and make their own decisions. Children do not do well if controlled like dogs. End of story. Woof. Ask yourself these questions in terms of how well you are educating your child on common sense values: 1) “Will my child be able to avoid the temptations of drugs and alcohol and withstand the peer pressure of “fitting in” or will he fall prey to those pressures and wind up being an addict or possibly brain damaged due to experimenting with dangerous drugs?” 2) “Will he be wor- thy of trust, and keep his word with others or will he be deceitful and dishonest, disrupting relationships at every turn?” 3) “Will he treat others with respect, and handle them as he would like to be treated or will he carelessly hurt others feelings placing little importance or thought toward the ill effects he might create in others’ lives?” 4) “Will he be competent and create better conditions for himself and others or will he create disasters at every turn, littering his life with ineffectiveness and destruction?” and 5) “Will he be faithful to his marital partner and express love and devotion or will he betray his partner’s trust and destroy the relationship without remorse?” I have found that no matter what trouble my child gets into, there is something that I failed to teach him/her. It always boils down to “What could I have taught my child that would have prevented this from happening in the first place?” In other words, the level of success and happiness your child attains in life will largely be determined by the responsibility you have and the knowledge you teach him today. It will be because of your efforts to treat him with respect and love, despite numerous inevitable invitations to want to do otherwise, that he will choose not to mistreat his own children or abuse them. It will be because of your patient & gentle insistence that he not accept mediocrity in life, but strive for professionalism and competence, that he succeeds. It will be because of your worthy advice that he seeks to live with the truth and be worthy of respect, that he lives a life of integrity and honor. Continued on page 23 Northridge East Neighborhood Council The next meeting of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2009 7:00 p.m. Andasol Elementary School 10126 Encino Ave. Northridge, CA 91325 For questions call 800-772-9132 or E-mail [email protected]. Visit our web site to view the January 12, 2009 Agenda 7 p.m. – January 12, 2009 PAGE 4 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS JANUARY 2009 First Presbyterian Weekday School where faith and knowledge meet Prospective Student Open House Preschool – Fifth Grade Sunday, January 25th ~ 1:30-3:30 p.m. New Year’s Sale 7KDQNVJLYLQJ6DOHV Offer expires 1-31-2009 www.NorthValleyCommunityNews.com $571 )5$0( $OO&XVWRP)UDPLQJ )LQH$UWDYDLODEOHIURP7RS$UWLVWV 0RQWK/D\D:D\ :HOFRPH :KROHVDOHVWRWKHSXEOLF ͑ΠΦΣΤ 63(&,$/ 6$/(6 [3RVWHU)UDPH2QO\ ͑΅Ͷͽͫ͑ͩͩͩͤͣͧͧͥͨ͢͟͟ [-HUVH\)UDPLQJ )UHH)UDPH5HSDLU 6HUYLFH 7U\WRVHDUFKDQ DUW *272ZZZDUWVQIUDPHFRP $57 1)5$0( 'LVFRXQW&XVWRP)UDPLQJ )LQH$UW*DOOHU\ ͑ΠΦΣΤ ͑΅ΦΖ͞΄ΒΥ͑͑͢͡ΒΞͨ͞ΡΞ ͑ΠΦΣΤ ΄ΦΟ͞;ΠΟ ͢ΒΞͦ͞ΡΞ ͑΅Ͷͽͫͫ ͑ͩͩͩͤͣͧͧͥͨ͢͟͟ 6DQ)HUQDQGR0LVVLRQ%/ )UDPLQJ-XQHE\ )UHGHULF/HLJKWRQ ͑΅Ͷͽͫ͑ͩͩͩͤͣͧͧͥͨ͢͟͟ *5$1$'$+,//6 Offer expires 1-31-2009 2II $OO)LQH $UW 2II &ROOHFWLEOH*LIW JANUARY 2009 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS A Bail-Out Program Just for You! By JAMES LANZA, CPFI Happy New Year everyone! It’s 2009 and do we have a stimulus program just for you! We will not only stimulate you but we’ll bail you out! Yes indeed. It’s a new year, a new economy, a new president. Well, two out of three ain’t bad. But why, do you ask, should I work out? And how can your stimulus package help me? Let me tell you about Martha. Martha had gotten so out of shape she couldn’t climb stairs. So she got permission from her doctor to work out. She joined a fitness club and decided to take one of their aerobic classes. She bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down and perspired for an hour. By the time she got her leotards on, the class was over! So she came here to Lanza Fitness where we motivate, educate and stimulate. We made it fun. We made it safe. And we made it effective. Now Martha can get her leotards on in time for that aerobics class! I got a call from a young lady the other day. She set up her first appointment. I told her to wear loose fitting clothing. She said if she had loose fitting clothing she wouldn’t need me! Let me tell you about Phil. He’s had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes, he’s half blind, can’t hear anything quieter than a jet engine. He takes 40 different medications that make him dizzy, winded, subject to blackouts. He has bouts with dementia. He has poor circulation. He can hardly feel his hands and feet. He can’t remember if he’s 85 or 92. He’s lost all of his friends. But thank God he still has his drivers’ license! So all of those things don’t matter because he’s working out here at Lanza Fitness and he’s having fun! And you can, too! So here’s how we’re going to stimulate you and bail you out. Come in for a free evaluation. We’ll talk about your eating habits. We’ll take your blood pressure. We’ll measure your body fat and lean body mass and tell what it all means. We’ll tell you how many calories your body needs per day. James Lanza And if you decide to train with us we’ll add twenty percent more onto any package! How’s that for a bail out? So call us or stop by. Let us show you how WE CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. ONE POUND AT A TIME. One more thing. I asked one of our clients “what do you think is the best thing about being 104 years old? She replied “No peer pressure!” Now on to reality. These stories and people don’t really exist. I’m trying to make a point in the most fun possible way. But I hope you get my point. Your health is a very serious matter. And we take it serious here at our facility. But we will make it fun, safe and effective. So give us a call. You’ll be happy you did. Thanks for listening and have a healthy day! James Lanza is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the International Sports Sciences Association. He has been in the fitness industry for over twenty years. James and his wife, Sherry, own Lanza Fitness Personal Training, a premiere private training studio conveniently located in Northridge at 9149 Reseda Blvd. on the corner of Nordhoff and Reseda in the VONS shopping center. His clients range from celebrities to athletes to housewives. James can be reached at his studio by calling 818-718-1937 or www.Lanzafitness.com ADVERTORIAL Measure R Passage Puts County Transportation Projects on Fast Track By DAVE SOTERO Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase for comprehensive county transportation improvements, officially passed last month with a more than two-thirds voter majority. It is now expected to fasttrack new transportation projects throughout L.A. County, including the possible extension of the Valley’s own Metro Orange Line to Chatsworth. Countervailing the lack of recent transportation investments at the state and federal levels, Measure R is a local sales tax that will be generated and invested locally. It is expected to bring in $40 billion over the next 30 years to fund badly needed transit and highway projects and support transit operations. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has vowed to put funds to work quickly and help create construction jobs that will stimulate the local economy now being hammered by the current economic crisis. At least 210,000 new jobs and $32 billion in new economic activity could be generated over the 30-year period, according to projections by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. Sales taxes will start being collected July 1, 2009. During the first full year, it is estimated that over $650 million will be collected, and that revenue stream will grow as the economy expands. Some of the most immediate financial returns derived from Measure R will go directly to cities. Metro’s expenditure plan ensures that all 88 cities will receive a 15 percent local return of taxpayer funds based on yearly city population figures. In the first full year, local jurisdictions are expected to collectively receive over $100 million for their transportation needs. Over the 30year sales tax period, the local return is anticipated to be almost $6 billion. These funds may be used by cities to directly fund their own projects such as bikeways, pothole repairs, major street resurfacing, leftturn signals, pedestrian improvements, Continued on page 17 PAGE 5 Non-Profit Spotlight Haven Hills: Rebuilding Lives Haven Hills’ programs supBy HOLLY RASEY port women, teens and children, “I left with barely more than primarily from the San Fernando the shirt on my back, driving Valley. Last year, they received away from my middle-class life over 1000 calls from battered into instant and total poverty. I women to their crisis phone line had to disappear from my and over 13,000 calls on behalf home, leave my job, my son’s of abused women. More than school, our friends and the 100 women and 1300 children lifestyle we had known. As I were sheltered in their 30 day went through the gate into the Holly S. Rasey center program. 19 women and shelter, I was overcome by a sense of safety I hadn’t realized had been 42 children resided at Haven Two. 99 atmissing from my life for a long time. That risk young adults took part in the Haven was the moment when, without asking for Hills Teen Program, an art-based violence anything in return, Haven Hills gave me prevention program that encourages healthy and my son what turned out to be the begin- teen relationships. The Teen Program is an ongoing success ning of a new life.” – Sandy Rebuilding lives and breaking the cycle story. Teens, who have either been victims of of domestic violence has been the mission violence, teen dating violence, or have witof Haven Hills for over thirty years. The nessed domestic violence in their own homes, nonprofit agency, founded as a community use art and creative expression to gain a sense service project of the Canoga Park of renewal and empowerment. The Teen Women’s Club in 1977, has assisted more Program provides an environment that prothan 600,000 people over the years through motes healing and a renewed sense of hope. “Our 7th Annual Teen Summit will be its network of services, including: a crisis phone line which operates 24/7; a crisis held on April 4 at CSUN. The summit will shelter, providing a 30 day program with 36 be planned by the teens themselves and will beds; Haven Two, an 18 month transitional include workshops on art, media, theater, living/employment program; outreach sup- dance and poetry based on a theme. Last port groups; volunteer training; children’s year’s summit was themed “Who am I?” programs and the Haven Hills Teen and was very successful. We have found that using art to engage teens is an effective Program. Domestic violence is defined as a pattern way to teach them about healthy relationof physical, sexual, psychological, and/or ships” says Sara Berdine, Executive economic assaultive and coercive behaviors Director of Haven Hills. While domestic abuse is a topic that we used against intimate partners. It does not need to be physical abuse. Haven Hills’ don’t like to discuss or hear about, we are span of services responds to the grim, but fortunate as a community that Haven Hills is committed to breaking the cycle through real statistics of domestic violence: • Nearly 1.5 million women are physi- support services and educating young peocally assaulted by their intimate partner ple. For more information on Haven Hills, visit their website at www.havenhills.org or each year. • More than 500,000 women each year call the office at 818-887-7481. If you are a victim of domestic violence, call 911 if require medical treatment due to abuse. • More than 3 women are murdered by you are in immediate danger, or contact the their husband or boyfriend in this country Haven Hills Crisis Line at (818) 887-6589. Holly Rasey is the Director of everyday. • 3.3-10 million children witness domes- Development at New Horizons, a center for adults with special needs. Contact Holly at tic violence. • 2/3 of residents of battered women’s [email protected] or 818-8949301 ext. 334. shelters are children. RonKayeLA.com (Continued from page 2) to organize and to mobilize. NC members are the government at the grassroots level. If they reached out and brought the civic community around them together and reached across neighborhood lines to create a citywide force, nothing could stop them. The power special interests hold over our elected officials would diminish in the face of people power. We don't need structural changes in the rules of governance as much as we need to assert ourselves and remind the people who hold elective office that they are our servants -- not our masters. Ron Kaye is the driving force behind the Saving L.A. Project. Make it appoint to check out his blog at ronkayela.com. BRUCE PFEIFER PAINTING CO. Commercial & Residential • Interior & Exterior HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAINTING YOUR BEST NEIGHBORHOOD PAINTER * NO JOB TOO BIG NVCN Discovery: CSUN Radio Station (Continued from page 1) we have been running since November of 1963,” said Fred Johnson, general manager of the station. “We offer 12 hour blocks of classical music every weekday.” The station is run by both full time employees as well as Journalism students from CSUN. The student-run news portion of the station has won several Golden Mike Awards, edging out many professionally run stations across Los Angeles. While the foundation for KCSN is classical music, the station does not neglect its college audience. They offer Adult Album Alternative music in the evenings and on weekends, also known as the “Triple A”. This helps keep a younger audience interested in the station. On Saturday morning’s KCSN has Mike Mahaney on the air presenting an “American Weekend” the newest Americana music on the charts. The playlist is created from the influence of the Americana Music Association chart. The weekend music consists of artists such as: Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, The Derailers, Milton, and much more. So, set your car radio to KCSN-FM 88.5 and discover your local radio station Providing all Your Refinishing Needs! • Shutter and Cabinet Painting • Acoustic Ceiling Spray Painting • • Wallpaper Removal • Stucco and Drywall Repair • • Varnishing • Plaster • Water Damage Repair • Quality Workmanship and Materials Complete Preparation - Premises left neat and clean. Always Satisfied! Prompt Professional Service with over 25 years experience 818-830-7246 Fully Insured, License # 828759 C33 • Workman’s Comp & Liability PAGE 6 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS Method Fest Independent Film Festival Welcomes Submissions From Young Film Makers The 11th annual The Method Fest independent film festival, scheduled for March 26 April 2, 2009 in Calabasas, is looking for character and story-driven films featuring strong acting performances. The Method Fest features American and foreign feature films and short films and is named after "The Method" school of acting, which revolutionized the approach in acting, particularly in film. Filmmakers must submit their films before January 31, 2009 (postmarked). Entry fees are: $60 for features; $45 for short films; student entries are $25. For film submission information call (310) 535-9230 or visit the festival web site at www.methodfest.com Filmmakers are encouraged to register through www.withoutabox.com The Method Fest takes great pride in being a discovery festival, looking to help launch the works of young fresh filmmakers and to discover breakthrough performances by young, bold new actors. More than 110 films that have premiered or played at The Method Fest have received distribution. The Method Fest has also taken great delight in sharing career-defining performances 100 Y E A R S . of established performers and in showcasing a few chosen well-known directors to screen at the festival. "We've prided ourselves on not just following other festivals’ lineups. We screen world premieres and true discoveries, mixed with a few larger films, " said Don Franken, executive director of the Method Fest. A variety of other activities will complement the Method Fest screenings - filmmaking seminars, daily/nightly parties and receptions, industry events, a variety of Indie Music events, Lifetime Achievement Tribute, and the Awards Ceremony. The Method fest’s Youth Outreach program include a short film and screenplay competition for middle school and high school students. The Method Fest is sponsored by the City of Calabasas and presenting media partners, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications and the L.A. Daily News / LA.com. Lead sponsors include Prudential California Realty, the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley / Valley of the Stars, Sony, Christie, JetBlue, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Modern VideoFilm, FilmFinders, Enterprise Rent-ACar, Final Draft, and Barefoot Winery. MILLIONS O F DREAMS. JANUARY 2009 Notes from Behind the Badge Change is Hard By Senior Lead Officer KATHY BENNETT “There is nothing wrong with change if it’s in the right direction.” – Winston Churchill As many of you know, the Los Angeles Police Department opened the new Topanga Community Police Station on January 4, 2009. Located at 21501 Schoenborn Street in Canoga Park, the new station is a welcome addition to the community. But what does that mean to those of you who live in Devonshire Area? For one thing, it means Devonshire Area loses some geography on the west side of the division. We also gain a Basic Car Area – so instead of having five Basic Cars in Devonshire Area we will now have six. By adding another Basic Car, we also add more officers to our station to staff that car. But before you get too excited, I have to tell you we also gained geography on the east side of the division. I had hoped to have a map to accompany this story, but at the time of this writing, one is not available. Most people don’t like change and a number of you will be shifted into new Basic Cars with a different Senior Lead Officer. You may not like that idea. But I urge you to give it a try. Everyone has something positive to offer and your Senior Lead Officers are no different. We all have unique personalities and talents. You may find you’re more “in tune” with your new Senior Lead Officer than your old one. Many of you probably don’t care who your Senior Lead Officer is as long as when you call the police someone responds in a timely manner. That’s okay too and know that we do our best to live up to our motto of “to protect and to serve”. All of the Devonshire Basic Cars have changed – including the Basic Car names. I will try to give you a generalization of the Basic Cars and their boundaries. Please understand I’m going to give you an indication of the boundaries … there are some abnormalities that I won’t be able to list here. BASIC CAR 17A23 – The Name Stays the Same Senior Lead Officer Kathy Bennett Danny Del Valle City/county line on the west, Limekin Canyon & Tampa Avenue on the east, City/county line on the north, Lassen Street on the south BASIC CAR 17A27 – NOW CALLED 17A35 Senior Lead Officer Dario Del Core Limekin Canyon & Tampa Avenue on the west, Balboa Blvd on the east (except east of Balboa Blvd between Rinaldi Street and Chatsworth where the eastern boundary is the flood control channel), City/county line on the north (except east of Balboa Blvd where the northern boundary is the 118 Freeway), Lassen Street on the south (except east of Zelzah where the southern boundary is Chatsworth Street) BASIC CAR 17A49 – THE NEW BASIC CAR IN DEVONSHIRE Senior Lead Officer Janine Angeles Balboa Blvd on the west , the 405 (San Diego) Freeway on the east, the 5 (Golden State) Freeway on the north, Lassen Street on the south BASIC CAR 17A83 – NOW CALLED 17A81 Senior Lead Officer Sue Herold The flood control channel west of De Soto Blvd on the west, Tampa Avenue on the east, Lassen Street on the north, Roscoe Boulevard on the south BASIC CAR 17A55 – NOW CALLED 17A67 Senior Lead Officer Kathy Bennett Tampa Avenue on the west, White Oak Continued on page 7 Veterans Housing Opposed (Continued from page 1) the V.A. system for permanent housing for veterans,” said Dora Gallo, CEO of Community of Friends, an organization that is helping fellow vet-services development organization, New Directions, with advance work on building permanent, or long-term housing on the Veterans Administration’s Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center campus. “Other current options offer only two-year housing for veterans and then they have to leave no matter their circumstances,” Gallo told North Valley Community News. But Community of Friends and New Directions have run into some obstacles in their joint mission to bring housing solutions to some of the estimated 20,000 to 24,000 homeless veterans estimated to be living in Even after 100 years, the excitement never wears off. Even after 100 years, the excitement of moving in has never gotten old for us. And we’re always finding newer, better ways to help people buy and sell their homes. Because even after all this time, for us, there’s no such thing as “business as usual.” Part of the San Fernando Valley community for 10 years. Call 818-725-2500 to speak to an agent. Your Perfect Partner® 11280 Corbin Avenue Porter Ranch, CA 91326 YEARS IN YOUR COMMUNITY QUALITY PROPERTIES © 2006 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. All rights reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity . Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated Except Offices Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. Los Angeles County, as well as some of the men an women in uniform who will be returning home in 2009 and 2010. The main hurdle for the proposed 150-unit apartment project intended to house veterans with disabilities without time limits on their residency, has been political groups—most pressingly, North Hills West Neighborhood Council (NHWNC). NHWNC says it supports, in principle, the idea of providing new housing for veterans at the facility located on Plummer Street near the I-405 Freeway. “But we won’t be here in 75 years. Some of our folks have been in business and real estate and know what a contract means,” said Lewis Brown, the council’s president, in Continued on page 7 JANUARY 2009 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS PAGE 7 Porter Ranch Neighborhood Cracking Down On Consultant Contracts Council Needs You Our Schools funds. I voted against millions of By TAMAR GALATZAN dollars of contracts this year, but As many of you know, we are unfortunately, most were approved currently facing a budget crisis of over my strong objection. historic proportions. According to It is for this reason that at the the latest information, the District Board’s December 9th meeting, I will be facing up to $400million introduced a resolution calling for of budget cuts come January. the Superintendent to provide Now, more than ever is the time for the District to be effi- Tamar Galatzan detailed and complete information on the hiring of consultants, cient and frugal. We can no longer afford to be spending $6 regardless of dollar amounts, for all future million to wash some gym towels, or having personal service contracts. The motion is the Board approve professional development set for vote January 13th. It is unacceptable to the Board and the taxcontracts with no measure of success. And we certainly can ' t be frittering away our money payers that a public agency would hire conon expensive consultants - as has been the sultants without providing even basic information regarding their purpose and function. case too many times in the past. For example, this year the district has accu- Acting in this manner is offensive to tax paymulated $175 million in consulting contracts ers and any constituency that LAUSD serves. with outside firms. Some of these services are I am already working with the Superintendent no doubt essential to the district 's success; ' s office and the Business Service s Division others, however, are highly questionable. I to ensure that this resolution will enable the challenged the Superintendent?s office about Board to make fully- informed decisions awarding $4.7 million in outstanding personal when hiring consultants in the future. My intent is not to micromanage hiring service consulting contracts, but to date I have decisions, but to develop a relationship based not received a satisfactory response. Of that money $74,000 was allotted for on trust and accountability. The size of the computer related duties for the superin- District makes it not only impossible but also tendent and $30,000 was spent on an 11- inefficient to examine every consultant hired month contract for media interview and either at the school sites or Beaudry. But in the case of high-priced consultants who are presentation training. Periodically throughout the year, I asked brought on board to assist the Superintendent, to review the list of these contracts and obtain Facilities, Information Technology, Comdetails of the deals and services provided. To munications and other departments, we have this day my office has not received an to exercise more control over the process. Given the fiscal situation in which the accounting of what goals LAUSD had hoped to achieve by hiring these people. The lack of District currently finds itself, we must such information represents a failure on the tighten the system by which we monitor part of District to maintain its fiduciary and these contracts. Failure to do so will cause moral responsibility to keep taxpayers fully the District’s reputation to sink even lower informed regarding expenditures of public in the eyes of the public. Veterans Housing Opposed (Continued from page 6) response to questions from an L.A. Times reporter last summer. “If you don’t write [specific restrictions] in the lease and someone chooses not to do it, you’re pretty stuck.” The restriction that is so important to Lewis and all but two of his colleagues on the NHWNC board of directors is a written, black-and-white stipulation that only veterans be housed at the facility. However, doing so in no-uncertain terms puts the effort in direct opposition to longstanding federal housing rules, which would preclude New Directions from receiving federal funding if it formally discriminates against non-veterans. “Sure; on the surface that sounds like we can’t say that only veterans will be housed in at Sepulveda,” Gallo said. “However, in practice, we’ve already proven that is what will happen, simply by operating under a ‘preference’ for veterans model.” In fact, the courts have ruled that giving preferential consideration to veterans, while not officially barring non-vets from residency is legal. New Directions already runs temporaryhousing facilities, populated solely by veterans, under that model. “It works because there is no shortage of homeless veterans,” Gallo said. Forcing a contractual stipulation barring non-veterans from the facility would effectively force New Directions and the V.A. to find private funding for the Sepulveda project at a time when charitable giving is way down, she added. “I think we will prevail in the end, but the worst case scenario of the lack of support from the neighborhood council is that we will be delayed at a time when soldiers with a lot of needs will be coming back from the wars,” Gallo said. “We’re seeing young veterans with all kinds of disabilities who will need our support.” The record shows Community of Friends’ top leaders, as well as those of New Directions have been doing community outreach by attending meetings of the North Hills West Neighborhood Council as well as its subcommittee meetings for more than a year. Councilman Greig Smith, in whose district both NHWNC and the Sepulveda V.A. Ambulatory Care Center are located, has said he supports the idea of housing disabled veterans locally, but also has said he supports the council’s concern that non-veterans might be housed there. “If we had guarantees that only veterans would be housed there, we could get behind it,” said NHWNC board member and Outreach Committee chair, David Hyman. However, Mr. Hyman made clear that he was speaking as an individual board member, and not for the board per se. “We are award that they do good work,” he said in regard to New Directions. “That’s not the issue. It’s a 75-year lease we want to make sure it’s for veterans only. We support veterans in our community.” On January 6 the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council gets a running start on the year with two great speakers: Mr. Joe Avila, Executive Assistant to the DWP General Manager will be speaking on the Solar Initiative which will be on the March ballot. And John Dierking, Tax Compliance Officer for the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance will be speaking on business tax renewal issues. Start the year off right and resolve to make a difference in Porter Ranch! Come to PRNC meetings, usually on the first Tuesday of the month to learn how you can Help Make Porter Ranch a Better Place to Live, Work and Grow. We also have room on our committees for you to make a difference: Beautification, Education, Go Green, Land Use, Outreach, Police/Fire/Safety, Speaker’s Bureau, and Transportation. The PRNC made a difference in 2008 by addressing the proposed Las Lomas development, sponsoring community events and promoting public safety. Come to our next meetings on January 6, February 3, and March 10, 6pm Shepherd of the Hills Church. TUTORING Math • Physics • Chemistry For High School and College Students (818) 998-3396 NEW COMMUNITY JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL “...where rigorous academics means respectful and inclusive minds with moral courage.” FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE NCJHS COMMUNITY FAMILY OPEN HOUSE January 25, 2009 SUNDAY AT 10:30 AM RSVP to Office of Admissions (818) 348-0048 Behind Badge (Continued from page 6) Avenue on the east,, Lassen Street on the north, Roscoe Boulevard on the south BASIC CAR 17A45 – NOW CALLED 17A95 Senior Lead Officer Ken Cioffi White Oak Avenue on the west, the 405 (San Diego) Freeway on the east, Lassen Street on the north, Roscoe Boulevard on the south So there you have it. We’ve changed right here - right now…and I think we’re heading in the right direction. Kathy Bennett has been a Los Angeles Police Officer for 18 years and currently is assigned as the Senior Lead Officer for Basic Car 17A67 in Devonshire Area. She can be reached at (818) 634-0495 or [email protected]. Founded in 2002 Dr. Bruce Powell, Head of School 7353 VALLEY CIRCLE BLVD. • WEST HILLS, CA 91304 www.ncjhs.org Accredited by WASC and the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater L.A. • Beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Greater L.A. PAGE 8 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS JANUARY 2009 New Year’s Resolutions: We Make Them and Then Break Them hopes for a better future only to break As the ball drops in Time Square and floats By CRAIG STRAZZERI parade down Colorado Boulevard, we are The new year is here and with that before the blink of an eye. January 1st is a day of new beginnings. filled with the optimism that the new year comes empty resolutions that we make in brings. Ready to take on the world, we look to channel our new found hope and renewed faith in humanity. No obstacle is too big on January 1st, and every year we decide to hit a grand slam. We tell ourselves that losing weight Physical Therapy this year will be different. "McDonald's cut Dedicated to Returning You to Your Highest Level of Function the trans-fat from their fries, Dan Marino lost 50 pounds on Nutrisystem, and I just Therapists Rick Katz, joined a runners club." The first week is a Anne Katz, Larry Cummings breeze. No carbs, no calories, no fats, just & Robert Bradbury, tons of exercise and the pounds fall off. But have been a part of the then comes a curveball: Our aunt's Northridge community for Christmas gift arrives late and we have a decades. Trusted neighbors, box of chocolates staring us in the face. neighborhood close. Strike one. We try to recover, but then get Why travel? the news that we'll be missing a week of runners club to go skiing. Strike two. You Have a Choice for Finally, as we are clinging to the last ounce Physical Therapy Services! Northridge Spine & Sport 11260 Wilbur Avenue ~ Northridge, CA 91326 Phone: (818) 832-5656 Fax: (818) 832-5654 Steven C. Shoham, M.D., F.A.A.P. Albert J. Melaragno, M.D., F.A.A.P. Providing Care for Infants, Toddlers, Children and Adolescents BOARD CERTIFIED IN PEDIATRICS DOCTOR’S MEDICAL PLAZA 10515 Balboa Blvd., Ste. 360, Granada Hills, CA 91344 (Corner of Balboa and San Jose) (818) 832-3322 • Fax (818) 360-9171 We Are Your Neighborhood Pediatricians! Physicals and Same Say Appointments Readily Available of optimism of maintaining our New Year's resolution, we are swamped at work, staying late to finish assignments and it's pizza for dinner six days in a row. Just like that, our grand slam turned into a strike-out and this year begins like all the others. “Every year I tell myself I am going to go on a diet and lose some weight,” said Granada Hills resident Fern Elaine. “But then the leftover holiday treats become tempting and the plans for a diet go out the window.” “I am going to keep my resolutions simple this year,” said Michael Glenn of Chatsworth. “I am going to try to save an extra $100 each month by not eating out so often.” If we all made simple goals like Glenn, maybe we could start a new tradition of not breaking our resolutions. With more reachable goals, our hopes to be a better person would be more noticeable as the new year progresses. New Year’s Resolutions: Last Year/This Year Christian Hayes Last year’s resolution: Stay fit Did he keep it? He now works out on a regular basis This year’s resolution: Expand his business, get more family time and reduce debt Stephanie Stewart Last year’s resolution: Lose some weight Did she keep it? Lost 5 pounds This year’s resolution: Continue her education Yorke Fryer Last year’s resolution: Didn’t make one This year’s resolution: Educate myself about business, wealth and do things for my career. Kevin Walheim Last year’s resolution: Open up my own insurance agency, and become a top producer Did he keep it? Opened his own Allstate Agency in April and ended out the year as a top 5 commercial producer This year’s resolution: Grow the business and become #1 Andrew Schneider Last year’s resolution: Become more active as a community volunteer Did he keep it? Yes. Among other activities, worked with Hope For L.A. to build a health clinic in Watts and headed Boxes of Love which donate Thanksgiving boxed meals to 170 families. This year’s resolution: Find a girlfriend, maybe even a wife (inquiries welcome) Dennis DeYoung Last year’s resolution: Go on a diet and exercise Did he keep it? No This year’s resolution: Exercise more, avoid sugar and soda, spend more time with the family Joyce Sipes Last year’s resolution: Stand firm on my beliefs and values and to speak uip and call it as I see it! Did she keep it? Yes, and she “…went through hell, but it was worth it.” This year’s resolution: Develop and pursue a plan of attack to pursue things I have put on hold YMCA Provides Free Memberships for Active Duty Military Families The North Valley Family YMCA is providing free one year, YMCA memberships to families with a spouse or parent called to active duty in the U.S. National Guard or in the military Reserves. The program is sponsored by the YMCA of the USA and the U.S. Department of Defense to address the needs deployed military personnel family members who live far from a military installation. The North Valley YMCA (www.ymcala.org/nv), at 11336 Corbin Avenue, began offering the free memberships October 1, 2008, for military families residing within the branch’s service area. “This program will help families of military personnel during their separation from their loved ones,” said North Family Valley YMCA Executive Director, Jane Stanton. “We are happy to provide a place where families can be active together and find support within the YMCA. This is another way we fulfill our mission to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.” Military families who take advantage of the free North Valley YMCA membership can participate in a variety of activities including youth classes, adult fitness classes, aquatics programs and family swim time. The YMCA also offers a Childwatch program at the facility which cares for children while parents are working out at the YMCA. The membership is free, but special programs such as youth sports programs, swim lessons and karate incur an extra cost. Families seeking to enroll should contact Nicole Casper, Program Director, 818-3683231, [email protected] and have a military ID or deployment paperwork. To Advertise call Decision Publications at (818) 534-1797 The Senior Years Planning and Caring for Seniors Why this special section addressing issues associated with senior citizens? Our society is aging in part due to the large number of seniors that are a product of the baby boom that followed WWII and advances in medicine that has increased our lifespan. Unfortunately, with our lengthened lifespan there are no assurances that we will be physically and mentally capable of coping with the consequences of a prolonged life, a lifespan that in most cases will leave many of us facing diminished physical and mental capabilities. Whether you are currently in the class of individuals we refer to as senior citizens, or are middle aged adults commonly referred to as the “Sandwich Generation” on the verge of becoming senior citizens themselves, or caught between meeting the needs of aging parents and their children, this supplement is designed to stimulate you to start thinking and planning for the senior years, for yourself and your parents. So, here are some of the issues you need to consider both as an aging person in your “golden years” or as the caregiver of an aged parent. Care Giving While we welcome longevity we know all to well that it brings stress to the elderly and their caregivers – usually family members. For the caregiver there are new challenges and issues to address as they slowly realize the reversal of roles between child and parent, with the child assuming the caring and nurturing role. It is a functional and emotional dilemma that challenges all of us. Most of us never thought about the obvi- Aging Parents: Warning Signs of Health Problems By Joy Fruth, MSW Caring for aging parents can be frustrating and exhausting. Aging parents are often resistant to being told what to do by their children, no matter how successful those children have been in their adult lives. As an adult child of an aging parent, the first thing to remember is not to take it personally. Parents are adults and from a generation that has always “picked themselves up by their bootstraps” and made their own way during difficult times. Aging parents may not freely tell you when they need more help. Here are some warning signs to look for: • Bruising and Falls. Bruises could be an indicator that your parent has fallen or lost their balance and bumped into a wall or furniture. One fall or a “near fall” is the single greatest predictor of subsequent falls. Even one fall can prove devastating if an individual breaks a hip or worse. Don’t dismiss falls or near-falls. • Forgetfulness. Memory loss is NOT a normal part of aging. It is typical for older adults to think more slowly and have difficulty concentrating on new information, but it is not normal for an individual to lose memory. Forgetting the names of family members or old friends, the inability to name everyday household objects, getting lost when away from home—these can be signs of serious memory disorders. • Difficulty managing affairs. You may notice that your parent is neglecting bills or ignoring mail and it is piling up. • Changes in personality and hygiene habits. Any sudden changes are cause for concern. Infection or stroke could be the culprit. See a geriatrician immediately if you notice sudden changes in ability, behavior, or attitude. • Difficulty with bladder control. Though this is a typical sign of aging, there are treatments available: from medication to bladder retraining. • Depression. This is NOT a normal part of aging. Most individuals are able to cope with the inevitable losses of aging. Depression is treatable and curable. Aging is inevitable, but these problems do not have to be with proper medical treatment from a Geriatrician. A Geriatrician is a medical doctor who is specially trained to Continued on “Senior Years” page 6 ous issues we will have to address - recognizing when our parent is “getting old” and planning for it, when and how to tell your parent they can no longer drive, finding transportation options for them, monitoring their medications, participating in their healthcare planning and doctors visits, legal and financial issues, and more. And of course, if your parent reaches a point where they cannot live on their own, exploring the options – day care, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility. These are the issues that will be the most challenging and difficult. And, unfortunately, there will be financial considerations and “responsibility sharing” issues between you and your siblings or other family members. The responsibility thrust upon you will be Continued on “Senior Years” page 4 Depression Among Seniors Usually Goes Untreated According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 2 million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from serious depression, and another 5 million suffer from less severe forms of the illness. The causes of depression among the elderly can vary widely. Some seniors have had a long history of depression. Others face depression because of a change in their personal circumstances: failing health, the death of a spouse, lack of mobility, isolation from friends and family, and a reduced or limited income. Although depression in the elderly is quite common, according to experts only a small percentage of seniors seek treatment for their depression. Many people assume that depression is just part of getting older and may not recognize depression as a problem. Elderly adults are often isolated, so their depression may go unnoticed. Physicians can miss the signs of depression in the elderly because they are focused on their physical condition. Seniors themselves may be reluctant to talk about it. The experts at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services have been providing quality mental health care throughout Los Angeles County for more than 60 years. They understand the challenge of depression, and have developed recommendations for physicians, mental health professionals and family members to help seniors who may be at risk for or are dealing with depression: • Recommend that they keep a daily journal of experiences, and that they discuss these experiences with a family member or doctor. Encourage them to include at least one positive statement regarding himself or herself. • Recommend that they engage in age-appropriate physical exercise. • Encourage them to increase social involvement with family and friends and help them develop a plan to participate in recreational activities. • Recommend and provide books and other reading material that will bring enjoyment and satisfaction, and engage their intellectual curiosity. • Identify community resource(s) that may be used as support systems when help is needed. • Assist them in developing a structured schedule of daily activities. • Develop a list of personal messages that can make him or her feel stronger in moments of sadness or fear. Finally, it is important for family, friends, and seniors themselves to know the signs of depression, and to seek professional help when needed. Red flags can include prolonged sadness, abandoning long-time hobbies or interests, social withdrawal and isolation, loss of interest in personal care (skipping meals, sleep disturbances, neglecting personal hygiene), feelings of worthlessness, increased use of alcohol or other drugs, and a fixation on thoughts of death. Since 1942, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been providing quality mental health and substance abuse treatment in the Southern California area. With nine centers throughout Los Angeles County, the agency serves more than 44,000 individuals a year and provides a variety of services, including services for seniors. For additional information on the services Didi Hirsch provides, please visit www.didihirsch.org. PLANNING FOR THE SENIOR YEARS PAGE 2 Med-Alert Med-Alert provides medical emergency response when seniors experience life threatening events. Med-Alert features amplified two-way voice communication between the senior and our emergency operators who will contact family, caregivers, paramedics, police or fire department as needed. NO cost for equipment NO installation or setup fees NO long term contracts CAREGIVER BENEFITS SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS I Provides peace of mind and security I Enhances safety I Notifies family and providers in case of an emergency I Promotes secure, independent living I Provides immediate access to assistance, 24 hours a day 365 days a year I Supports recovery at home I Early intervention in an emergency improves health outcomes I Can postpone the need for more costly living assistance options I Provides safer transition from hospital to home I Shows you care even when you can’t be there ADDITIONAL BENEFITS I I Alarms Video Surveillance I I I Makes it easier to maintain your independence by keeping you in contact at all times (by the simple press of a button). I Activator button can be worn in the shower so you can have it with you always (all transmitters are completely waterproof). I Connects you to familiar people in your life, during an emergency, helping to give you peace of mind. I May contribute to a more comfortable, confident in-home recovery after a hospital stay. Access Control Med-Alert 866.359.6555 www.ProtectionAlarms.com I ACO-6360 PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND FOR YOUR HOME AND BUSINESS! PAGE 3 PLANNING FOR THE SENIOR YEARS Home Care Concerns You Should Know About By Jeanette Meyer I have been the patient coordinator at AAA T.L.C. Healthcare, Inc for almost eight years and have had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful clients and their family members. It has given me great satisfaction to provide our clients with top quality caregivers so that they may remain comfortably in their homes, no matter what their medical condition is. AAA T.L.C.. Healthcare is a licensed, bonded and insured agency having over 5,000 caregivers consisting of RNs, LVNs, CNA’s, Home Health Aids and companions. We are able to provide services within hours of being called, at affordable rates. We do feel that “one-on-one” care for patients at home is the best option whenever possible. I am very well aware that having a caregiver for the first time can be a difficult adjustment. It is quite understandable that a client would not want a “stranger” in their homes. There is a feeling of being intruded upon, not to mention that the whole process of needing a caregiver gives the client a sense of losing their independence. As the wonderful actress Bette Davis once said, “Getting old is not for sissies” which is so very true. To alleviate some of these fears, I try to meet ahead of time with both clients and their family members, if possible, to discuss their needs and also what they expect in their caregiver. I also try to assess the personality of the clients so that I can provide the most compatible caregiver possible. Jeanette Meyer is Patient Coordinator at AAA TLC Healthcare, Inc. She can be reached at 818-380-6585 or 310-271-1887. Advertorial Afflicts more than 60% of those over age 65 Fungal Nails in Senior Population Requires Podiatric Care By Dr. Arthur Fass, Podiatrist It seems that there is an increasing attention on the development of fungus nails. It may be due to an increase in concern for cosmetic appearance as well as greater advertising for new cures. Fungal nails are very common and get more common with age. Over 60% of people over 65 have fungus in their nails. Older patients tend to have decreased circulation in their feet and thickened nails can cause wounds and infections in the toes. It becomes important to have these nails treated and improved. When patients have circulation problems as well as diabetes or take coumadin as a blood thinner, medicare covers the cost of regular nail care. There are scores of products and methods that have been used over the years to cure this condition which is proof that no one treatment has been very effective. Fungus is a microorganism that generally lives in soil but can grow in dark moist places. It is prone to grow under a toenail because the foot can perspire up to a pint of sweat per day when in shoes long hours. The nail is usually firmly attached to the underlying skin of the nail bed. When something causes the nail to lift up away from the skin, it can allow a fungus to grow from the tip of the nail and slowly spread back to the base. Many factors can cause the nail to lift up including injury, aggressive pedicures, aging, and intermittent pres- sure in shoes. Athletic activities including Dr. Arthur Fass walking can cause pressure on the toenails as well as wearing high heeled, pointy toe shoes. The fungus often looks like yellow streaks under the nail but the entire nail can be severely lifted with yellow thick debris beneath. Treatment requires podiatric care. The podiatrist will evaluate the patient’s general health and other possible conditions such as diabetes. Treatment may include testing a sample of the nail for fungus as well as trimming back and grinding down the thickened nails. The medication used often depends on the severity or the amount of the nail that is infected. Milder forms can be treated with a good topical agent and good follow-up care. More advanced cases often require oral therapy. I usually use Lamisil, which is usually taken 1 time per day for 3 months. The patient needs a test of their liver function before they start and is usually repeated before they finish. There are usually no side effects if one has a healthy liver, but the drug should not be used if there is evidence of liver disease. Followup care involves trimming the nail down further and removing the superficial fungal debris. Although fungal nails are difficult to cure because they are resistant to treatments, good results can be achieved. Dr. Arthur Fass can be reached at 818701-5088. Worry-Free Home Care for Seniors is a Must-Have By Christine Rogers Helping Hands for Seniors is a non-medical home care company that takes the worry out of home care. “Reach Out For Life” is its slogan. It has all the components in place to enable seniors to keep there independence, stay at home and get the finest home care assistance available. But what components are critical to worry-free, non-medical home care? The home care company should be licensed, bonded and insured. Their caregivers should be employees of the company which means that all taxes are paid including social security. The caregivers should be covered under the company’s workers’ compensation policy, eliminating the seniors’ liability of being an employer. Also, the company must do background/criminal checks, driving records and insurance verification (if the caregiver will be driving the client). How about a “free” in-home assessment by a senior home care representative to evaluate your needs? You bet! Having somebody who understands what you are faced with is refreshing and critical. An assessment also provides you with a chance to meet the agency. These are the people you will be relying on. Once they know your particular needs, they can carefully select the right, highly-qualified caregiver that is totally committed to you. Plus, you want someone that regularly checks in on you and the caregiver, and is there for you when you need them—24 hours a day, seven days a week. Knowing the home care company has solid roots in the community is comforting to seniors. Being a member in good standing in the Chamber of Commerce, involvement with local charities, and a presence with senior centers are significant pluses. Should you have other needs, they probably know other professionals that specifically help seniors. Make sure their caregivers are experienced and highly-qualified, and are committed to doing their job to provide the best care possible for their senior clients. They should be respectful, caring, dependable and on-time, every time they visit you. Caregivers can help seniors in a multitude of ways. Meal planning and preparation, assistance in hygiene, medication reminders, light housekeeping, errands and shopping are fairly standard. Need help with bill paying, incidental transportation, and relief for family caregivers? Helping Hands for Seniors can handle it and many other options too. Your caregiver should provide you with joyful companionship. Make sure it is someone you feel good being with. Don’t settle for less. Remember, few people want anyone to come into their home. But if it is necessary, go through the process, utilize some of the criteria listed above, and enjoy your life. You worked hard and deserve the best! Christine Rogers is President of Helping Hands for Seniors, and is a member of many organizations in the San Fernando Valley. Helping Hands for Seniors is also a member of North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and Senior Services Business Council, and the Better Business Bureau. Call her anytime at 818.886.8088, or visit her online at www.helpinghandsforseniors.org George’s idea of fun is different. Coincidentally, so is our idea of retirement. Ideal for the Aged and Those Undergoing Recovery New Technology Makes Recovering at Home a Better Option By Scott Porter Most Americans say that they would prefer to recover or die at home rather than in a hospital. A lingering death away from familiar surroundings is one of the biggest fears of the elderly. But what are you to do if the physical challenges preclude the “home” option? Now there is a way to help you keep your loved one at home. Thanks to new technology, physical conditions that precluded at home care are now a thing of the past in many circumstances. This is particularly so for a bed ridden loved-one who is subject to urinary infection, indignity associated with the use of bed pan, falling during bed-to-chair transfers, pressure sores, weight which precludes assistance from another, and other physical maladies that would otherwise require out-of-home care. Soma Mobility System This new technology is the Soma Mobility System (SMS), a unique hospital bed that will enable a single caregiver to transfer your loved one from the bed to either a wheelchair or a commode, with the push of a button, in just over one minute—with no lifting. So, whatever the weight, be it 100 pounds or 600 pounds, the SMS is the answer. And the bed’s air support system prevents bed sores. Soma Safe Enclosure Another technological development is the Soma Safe Enclosure (SSE) which provides a secure, safe environment. The SSE is a manual or electric hospital bed that includes netting on all sides. The netting can be removed or zipped in place, as required. It allows total Continued on “Senior Years” page 6 Fairwinds - West Hills looks and acts more like a luxury resort than a retirement community. I mean gee-whiz, where would you rather live, a retirement community, or a five-star resort? We thought so. Call now to schedule your complimentary lunch and tour. And see for yourself just how different we are. 8138 Woodlake Ave • West Hills • (818) 713-0900 www.leisurecare.com LIC#197603296 PLANNING FOR THE SENIOR YEARS PAGE 4 West Valley In-Home Care Agency “Run by people who care.” For inquiry, Please Contact B e t h F i e l d s / Administrator Cell (818) 631-9400 Office (818) 252-9711 21822 Sherman Way, Suite 106, Canoga Park, CA 91303 Helping Hands for Seniors Subsidairy of the R.E.C Group Inc. DN447720 102608 Health and Dental Insurance for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries; including Medicare advantage, Medicare supplement, and Part D prescription drug plans. Independent agent, representing several of the major carriers for these programs in the Los Angeles area. Voted by readers of the Daily News as Best Insurance Agent for 2002-2008 Paul Davis California a Lic. 0669770 Paul Davis & Alberta Bellisario I N S U R A N C E S E R V I C E S (818) 888-0880 • (800) 487-0880 Email: [email protected] Seniors Need to Get Their Finances in Order By Thomas Christopher, Esq. It has been well established since biblical times that people should get their houses in order. Simply stated, getting your house in order requires that you take personal responsibility for getting your affairs and the affairs of your family and loved ones in order. We all want to live long, productive lives, but we fail to plan for them. The fact is that a little preparation now can avoid unexpected financial disasters. This is true for seniors, their adult children, family caregivers and loved ones. In California, if you have an estate that exceeds $100,000 in value and you don’t have a Living Trust, your family, your loved ones, will be at the mercy of the Probate System. A probate proceeding requires the filing of numerous legal documents, will result in costs averaging 15% of your estate (if no contests) and takes approximately 1-2 years. Probate fees for attorneys and executors are based on Gross Estate Value. In most cases, avoiding the Probate System will save tens of thousands of dollars, avoid a 1-2 year delay in distributing your estate and allow you to determine whom you want to receive your property rather than the California Probate Code. Effective estate planning will include the use of Power of Attorney documents. Many seniors and their families also have not planned for the possibility of long term disability brought on by accidents, or medical conditions. In California, you must name the person who will make medical decisions and financial decisions for you if you become incapacitated (mentally or physi- cally). Your personal and financial responsibilities don’t stop because you are in the hospital. Someone Thomas P. must be able to make Christopher, Esq. health care related decisions if you can’t. Someone must be able to pay your bills if you can’t. Creating an Estate Plan using a Living Trust and Power of Attorney documents is a process that will allow you to get your house in order, with as little cost, formality and time as possible. Yes, you still have to make an appointment with an attorney and talk about what you want when you pass away. The process, from start to finish, should take about 30 days. The cost will probably be less or equivalent to what you pay for car insurance or home owners insurance in 1year. This is minimal when you compare it to the value of transferring your entire estate informally. You can get your house in order today! I founded Christopher Law Group, Inc. to provide an easy, comfortable and convenient way to create an estate plan. My office is conveniently located in Porter Ranch. An attorney will meet you in your home at no cost to discuss your estate planning options. We will do the same for you if you have a plan already but want it reviewed amended or updated. Thomas P. Christopher, Esq., Christopher Law Group, Inc., (818) 3609500, 11260 Wilbur Ave., Suite 100, Porter Ranch, California 91326. www.christopherlawgroup.com. Planning and Caring for Seniors (Continued from “Senior Years” page 1) emotionally and physically draining. And, you may find yourself in the position of having to make choices between the needs of your spouse and children, or your aging parent. To deal with this, the “guilt factor,” you may very well need to seek professional help to cope. End of Life Issues There can be no subject more difficult to talk about than death. We all know that it is the ultimate outcome of our life, but acknowledging it when we are young and vital is different than when we are getting older and really cognizant of its impending reality. Nevertheless, end of life issues have to be addressed by both the aging parent and their children. It may not be an easy subject to talk about, but one that can’t be ignored. And don’t assume that your parent is oblivious or unwilling to address these issues with you. You will need to address hospice care, inhome options, funeral plans and expenses, your parent’s wishes, and your financial capability, if in fact your parent has not already made arrangements. Remember, this is a very emotional time and the more planning and decision making made in advance will make the process easier, notwithstanding the emotional trauma that comes with the loss of a loved one. Financial Matters When it comes to aging, finances is a major issue to be addressed. No one likes to discuss their personal finances, but there are important matters to be ascertained. As we get older we may become incapable or simply uninterested in dealing with financial matters. Decisions have to be made as to who will control the finances, who will have custody of all financial documents, who will have access rights to checking and savings accounts and the safe-deposit box. As a caregiver, you will want to fully understand their assets, including pension programs, social security and other benefits, and, their investments. Mobility Imagine the frustration a loved one goes through when they can’t do the simple things we take for granted – getting in or out of bed, buttoning a blouse, tying a shoe, bending over to pick-up the newspaper, walking upstairs, turning a door knob or walking. Yet, these are everyday challenges for many seniors. There are numerous devices in the marketplace that make life just a little easier. Be it a walker, a wheelchair or scooter, walk-in bathtub, a chairlift, handrail or a device that grips an item on the floor, there is more than likely a device that will make life a little easier. Take the time to explore all the options. If your Senior is better able to manage their daily activities, even with the assistance of a device, they will suffer less frustration and be happier. As a caregiver, this will make your life a little simpler. Elder Health If you are the caregiver for an older adult, you need to know their health status, both physical and mental. Talk to their primary healthcare physician. Be sure find out and monitor the medications they are using. Often times we do not fully understand what we are hearing, and this is especially true for seniors. You may want to consider going with them on their doctor visits and asking the questions you need to know for yourself, as it pertains to the person you are caring for. Above all, make sure your senior understands what is being said, particularly as it relates to diagnosis and treatment. Government and insurance bureaucracies can be daunting, especially for a senior. Find out what insurance or health plans they have and call the provider to learn exactly what the policy provides. Be sure to call the local Social Security office to ascertain their medicare and social security benefits. These are but a few of the issues that you will need to address when you assume the role of a caregiver. We hope that the articles within this section will help you prepare for the future. PAGE 5 PLANNING FOR THE SENIOR YEARS Remembered Forever, Across Time Developing a “Prescription List” Be“I must do this before I die” How often have you heard this said, or Can make the Difference Between said it yourself and yet have done nothing? It is a sad fact of life that most people procrastinate and generally forget about their Life and Death for Senior responsibility of leaving behind a personal By Don Wright, D.C. Everyone has their “laundry list” of things to accomplish. Common ones include the shopping list and the daily “to do’s”. The point of these lists is to help you remember. You go through them everyday, week, month or year and clean them out as the items are taken care of, or no longer are important. Quite possibly the most important of these lists is…The Medical Laundry List! Despite the importance of this list, it is disturbing to know that it is quite often ignored or forgotten. Without it, you are putting yourself in a potentially very hazardous situation. With a little effort and maybe some help from friends and family, this can be completely avoided. Does this sound familiar? You go to see a doctor for chronic headaches and receive a prescription…and it works like a charm. It works great so you stay with your prescription like a good patient and no longer suffer from headaches. You later suffer from acid reflux problems and go to another doctor because you changed insurance plans or maybe you or your doctor moved. You receive a prescription and your stomach feels better. Then you see the orthopedist because you fracture your leg. He gives you another prescription for pain and inflammation. This process can continue on as the list of life’s events happen to you and the list of doctors can grow… as does the list of medications you are taking. The potential hazard is that some medications and types of treatments are contradicted when taken with certain others and can cause anything from minor irritations to a medical emergency. To carry on with the example, one day you might have a serious event and have to be rushed to the emergency. This is where the “LIST” can keep you safe. The ER doctors will ask you questions about your health history…like “what medications are you taking?” If you’re unable to remember, your neat and up to date Medical Laundry List will save you. You pull out your list when the doctors ask for it, or if you are unable to, your emergency contact or your primary doctor should have a copy. A good Medical Laundry List can be as simple or as complex as you’d like. However, you need to keep in mind that someone will have to read it so it needs to be neat and organized. On the minimalist end, you should alphabetize your list by the name of each drug you are currently taking, what you’re taking it for. You may add any important health challenges including allergies or surgeries that might be significant for the doctor to know. You may also want to add the dosage you are taking and the generic name of it. Your list should be updated every time start a new regimen (supplement or drug) and every time you finish one. This way the list won’t become inordinately long and will be up to date. It is also a very good idea to have this list on your person, with a close friend or relative (your emergency contact person) and with your primary doctor, should anything untoward happen. A sample list can be found below. There are several different simple guides to follow to get your list in order, and they are listed below. Remember to keep it current (fresh and clean like your laundry) and to be sure that your loved one’s lists are current as well, especially those that aren’t able to keep their own current. message for loved ones. They leave behind a Will and/or Living Trust, but these are really only about material possessions. But, what about your life and the personal “you”? Leaving behind a personal message is singly the most important responsibility you have, to those who dearly love you. Why do I need to do this? Think about your own parents and grandparents. What tangible memories do you have of them? A few photos, and memories perhaps? Imagine if you could see and listen to them all over again, now, talking to you personally! What a treasured gift this would have been, for not only you, but for your children and their children, and future generations to come. Leaving behind a personal message not only brings “peace of mind”, but also, eases many of life’s LLC now. They are a new local company regrets. dedicated to helping people put their life “Seeing and Listening” …how is this Continued on “Senior Years” page 6 possible? As valuable as they are, personal diaries, written histories and photographs are now considered obsolete when compared to new exciting DVD video technology that enables a person to be seen and heard in a vivid and realistic life-like format. If we accept that “a picture is worth a thousand words”, then a DVD video is worth a billion! Photographs and documents are often impersonal, difficult to share, and easily damaged or lost. What type of message, when and where? Some people prefer an individual message for each of their loved ones. Others prefer a broader life story as “one message for all”. Either way, this can be left on DVD as part of the Living Trust, and/or utilized as your memorial message. Where do I begin? Call Northridge based Across Time The New Face of Memory Care By Mitch Leichter As more Seniors are in need of specialized Memory Care Assisted Living, new improvements are being implemented with positive results. These programs include: Aging in Place; Specialized Staffing; Memory Trained Nursing; Ongoing Daily Activities, and Sensory Integration. Aging in Place is the ability to care for persons at every stage of memory loss, mild cognitive impairment to end stage dementia into Hospice care. This requires a specialized staff who maintain professional, appropriate memory care at every level of need. This single focus goes well beyond daily personal care. It incorporates proper responses and redirection for all types of memory impairment, dysfunction and behavior with minimum medication intervention. Also necessary are Nurses who have specific training in general aging, diagnosis, and dementia mediations, including psychiatric drugs and their interaction with other medications. Activity programs for all levels of dementia are most effective if provided every day, all day long. Each level of memory requires its own specialized program of activity, provided by activity directors trained for each group of residents. Those who are active and interactive need activities that are fun, stimulating and hands on. Those who are no longer interactive require stimulation around them and simple participation encouragement. Even Hospice level residents need appropriate activities. Sensory Integration incorporates the recognition of the power of our senses to positively stimulate the brain. Maintaining an atmosphere of tranquil sights, sounds and odors improves the sense of well being, alleviates stress and may trigger reminiscence. Music, beauty, laughter and fun should be an everyday experience! Memory Care Assisted Living strives to maintain the independence, dignity and optimum well being of our loved ones with dementia by providing social Mitch Leichter opportunities and on going activities in a safe, warm, stimulating atmosphere. Our Seniors deserve nothing less! This is our business. This is our goal! Come and visit us. It would be our privilege to serve you! Seasons at Northridge islocated at 8700 Lindley Ave. in Northridge, 818-8865181. NORTHRIDGE GOLDEN NEST A Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly A beautiful three facilities for 6 special seniors that are seeking comfort and security. Aplace for seniors who need help with their daily routine but stil maintain their independence and dignity. license #197604051 license #197605610 license #197606829 9314 Tampa Ave., Northridge CA 91324 19127, 19240 Prairie St., Northridge CA 91324 Telephone: 818-886-5856 Fax 818-886-1230 Nurit Eigler / Administrator 818-324-2744 Galit Peled / Administrator 818-472-2366 Magnolia Gardens “Commitment To Excellence” A skilled nursing facility located on six acres in the heart of Granada Hills. We provide short term and long term care. We have an excellent rehabilitation team and loving and compassionate nurses and staff. Joji Gervacio, MBA/HCM Administrator 17922 San Fernando Mission Boulevard, Granada Hills CA 91344 (818) 360-1864 • Fax (818) 831-0599 E-Mail Address [email protected] PLANNING FOR THE SENIOR YEARS PAGE 6 OLD TRUST? NO TRUST? WRONG TRUST? We Fix Trusts™ • Was your Trust drafted correctly? • How do you know? • Would you like a second opinion? * * * FREE WORKSHOP * * * January 13 &15 5:45 p.m. January 17 8:45 a.m. RSVP (866)452-9657 ( ) Request your: FREE CONSUMER GUIDE TO MEDI-CAL PLANNING: WARNING NEW LAWS AFFECT YOU Call the Law Offices of Martha Jo Patterson (866) 452-9657 for a Free 12 Point Analysis of Your Current Estate Planning Documents. All 12 Provisions You will qualify to receive $1,000.* *Clients of the Law Offices of Martha Jo Patterson or APC affiliates do not qualify. Old Trust, No Trust, Wrong Trust? Don’t Lose Money Unnecessarily By Martha Jo Patterson Old Trust? Laws change, families change, and you change. 80% of Trusts fail and end up in Court. A Trust should be reviewed every three to five years to make sure that it incorporates the most recent laws. When families change due to death or divorce a Trust needs to be revised. If your memory or health are failing your Trust needs to be updated. What happens when Trusts Fail? Families lose money on attorney fees, and court proceedings required when the Trust does not work like it should. Wrong Trust? If you or a loved one uses Medi-Cal to pay for medical or nursing home care the state will require that you pay back every dime spent. The State can and will require the beneficiaries of a “Living Trust”, and Wills. If a loved one is in a skilled nursing home a special “Medi-Cal” Trust will protect all the assets from the State. Medi-Cal planning can save thousands. Veterans can use a trust similar to the “Medi-Cal” Trust to qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits. If a loved one is disabled, a “Special Needs Trust” is necessary to provide maximum care, while not causing the loved one to lose Martha Patterson valuable benefits. No Trust? No Trust guarantees Probate (average cost $25,000). No Trust guarantees that when your memory fails and you can’t remember to pay your bills you will be under Conservatorship which is the proceeding to allow someone to care for you and your money when you are alive (average cost over $100,000). No Trust, no Will and no Plan your assets will go to whomever the law dictates, some one you love may be left out. If you have an Old Trust, No Trust or the Wrong Trust, call the Law Offices of Martha Jo Patterson (866)452-9657 for a Complimentary Trust Review, and find out how you can save money. TheMiracleDrink.com proves that Miracles Do Happen! (818) 349-3562 www.EveryOneBenefits.com/ESilverman “It changed his life” My father, Johnny Wilson is 68 years old. He has diabetes, taking 2 shots a day, and a really bad knee. He is pretty stubborn, so when I started my mother on Nutrazon I really didn't think he would take some. My mom had a real hard time with her arthritis and has a steel plate in her leg. I told her the first dose to take 3 ounces and the next morning she was walking up her drive way at 5:30 in the morning, when usually it takes her an hour just to get up and get around. She could open and close her hands all the way for the first time in years. When my dad saw what it was doing for her he thought he would try some. So, mom gave him 3 ounces for 3 days and he got out of bed that third morning and told me he felt like he could do back flips. He went to the doctor about 5 days after taking the product, his blood sugar used to run 289. The doctor was shocked when he tested his sugar. It was 114!!! His doctor took him off his shots and he is now on pills. With Nutrazon and his pill his blood sugar is 104. He said he hasn't felt this good in 18 years, that was Aging Parents (Continued from “Senior Years” page 1) treat the syndromes that typically come with age. These include: Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, gait and balance disorders, and urinary incontinence. S+AGE™ is an outpatient medical clinic that specializes in medical care for the aging and their concerned adult children. At S+AGE™, we have Geriatricians, Neuropsychologists, and a Social Worker, all experts in geriatrics. Our services are Be Remembered (Continued from “Senior Years” page 5) stories, or a personal message to loved ones, on DVD video. Across Time has the expertise to work with you on a personal level to prepare and record your message or story in the comfort of your own home. Across Time has a unique process for help- New Technology (Continued from “Senior Years” page 3) patient protection when needed, and yet allows the caregiver to let patients have egress ability when they are ready by using the SSE as a “low bed”. Patient security can be managed by bed height as well as the number of sides that are zipped, giving patients the opportunity to be as safe and comfortable as their condition allows. SSE is a viable option for those dealing with falling, when he found out he had diabetes and nothing has been able to regulate his blood sugar, til now. – Crystal F, MO “My symptoms have improved” Diagnosed with fibromyalgia May 2002, I had so much pain and soreness in my arms and wrists I could hardly bathe myself and get dressed. The Rheumatology Doctor told me there is no medical cure for Fibro. Then I started taking Nutrazon and was starting to sleep better, and having less digestive problems. After taking Nutrazon for 3 1/2 months the fibro symptoms have improved about 90%. – Ruth G, AR “Lost 23 lbs in 30 days” I’ve lost 23 lbs in 30 days, and have much more energy and feel better than ever! I'm a mother of 3, and have a renewed lease on life, thanks to Nutrazon, – Carol F, CA These are just a few proven testimonials of how Nutrazon has changed the lives of ordinary people. For more info please contact call: (818) 613-1623 or TheMiracleDrink.com. covered by Medicare and most secondary insurance plans. Call S+AGE™ today at (818) 341-7243 to find out how our Geriatricians can help you and your aging parents. Or check us out on the web at www.sagecares.com. Joy Fruth, MSW ing you to effectively communicate, and be at ease in front of a camera. Their approach is highly affordable. A full range of their products and services can be seen on www.acrosstime.com. Don’t procrastinate any longer on your biggest responsibility. Act now - Call John Petersen at (818) 3574700 or Brian Jamieson at (818) 419-5334 for a free consultation. wandering, dementia, aggression, delirium and seizures. When patients need complete protection, the SSE allows them to do everything that they would be able to do in a standard hospital bed except fall out. The enclosure canopy allows complete patient interaction with his or her environment, while keeping them safe. For more information on the Soma Mobility System or the Soma Safe Enclosure, call RDI Systems at 818-366-7779. PAGE 7 PLANNING FOR THE SENIOR YEARS Another day. ANOTHER FINE DINING, WINE TASTING, SHOPPING, BACKSTROKE, BOCCE BALL adventure. Imagine a place where peace of mind, comfort and vitality walk hand in hand. Where your daily needs (and whims) are indulged. Get pampered in a day at the spa. Laugh more often. Discover a new passion. You don’t have to move far to experience the best in retirement living. COMING SUMMER 2009. INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES: NOW ACCEPTING PRIORITY RESERVATIONS 818.812.4600 You and a friend are invited to an I N F O R M AT I O N A L S E M I N A R Date: Tuesday, Jan 20th Time: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm . Date: Tuesday, Feb 10th Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am SALES & INFORMATION CENTER 19602 PRAIRIE STREET, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324 TOLL FREE 888.252.4382 . SRGSENIORLIVING.COM AN SRG SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY Since 1988 Your comfort. Our privilege. PLANNING FOR THE SENIOR YEARS PAGE 8 …there is someone that can help so you can keep your loved one at home… – RDI Systems! Bed ridden? Rent the Mobility System to go from the bed to wheelchair or commode with the push of a button, in 68 seconds (with no lifting)! Falling, wondering, confusion, aggression, delirium, or seizures? Rent the Safe Enclosure to instill peace of mind in your loved one and their caregiver! See both at www.rdi-systems.com California’s home of the amazing Beds! Call us, we can help! Scott & Joyce Porter Toll Free (866) 275-5111 • Local (818) 366-7779 JANUARY 2009 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS PAGE 17 20th, a community meet- Life is What Happens When You’re Granada Hills South ingOnwasNovember held with members of the commu(Continued from page 1) nity and representatives from Verizon (the Busy Making Other Plans not construed to apply to the small splitters or owner of the low mounted boxes). The other devices which are frequently found on telephone poles. The exception created a latent loophole that would later be exploited by utility companies looking for free and unregulated space for their distribution equipment. You may have noticed the new addition to our public space – metal boxes about the size of a large ice-chest, mounted two to three feet off the ground. The boxes interfere with pedestrian use of sidewalks, intrude on residents’ front yards and attract graffiti. Worse yet, the boxes present an eye-level hazard to children on bicycles or skateboards and present an attractive climbing opportunity. The Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council (GHSNC) has led the effort to address the hazards and annoyances caused by these boxes. At the October board meeting, the council passed a resolution calling for the boxes to be raised to a height of eight feet. Further, the resolution calls on the City Council to enact an ordinance requiring Pole Mounted Facilities to be mounted at least eight feet up the pole. The Council has worked diligently to raise awareness of this issue with neighboring councils and to promote a solution through the Department of Public Works. At the following meeting on November 13th, an Ad-Hoc committee on Pole Mounted Facilities was formed. meeting was productive. Verizon spoke about their new FiOS network and explained the purpose of, and the need for the boxes. Community members expressed concern over a number of issues including graffiti, blocked visibility of traffic from driveways, streets blocked by maintenance vehicles and litter left by installation contractors. The consensus of the community was that the boxes must be raised to a height that is out of reach and out of the way. It was also noted that the boxes are visited frequently, and that the higher boxes could intrude on residents’ privacy – much more so than the occasional visit to poles that do not contain these boxes. In recognition of this, poles that overlook backyards or other non-public areas should be avoided. Additionally, notification and discussion with adjoining property owners prior to installation would allow Verizon to choose an agreeable location and avoid future problems with the community that they are trying to serve. The Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council can be reached via their website at www.ghsnc.org, or via telephone at 818668-5969. The Ad-Hoc Committee on Pole Mounted Facilities is headed by board member Jerry Askew, who can be contacted at [email protected]. Measure R Passage the Canoga Park Station and extending north to the Chatsworth Metrolink Station along existing Metro-owned right-of-way. The Metro Board is expected to decide whether to approve the agency’s Final Environmental Impact Report early next year. If approved, the project would move into its final design phase, and groundbreaking could begin in 2009. Measure R funds could accelerate the completion of the project by as much as three years, with a new possible opening date of 2013. (Continued from page 5) streetscapes, traffic signal synchronization and local transit services. The remaining 85 percent of funding will be divided among critical new transit and highway projects and for transit operations countywide. Projects that are already in development can now be accelerated, including the Metro Orange Line Extension, a four-mile continuation of the existing busway beginning at By SANDY RIEBACK It wasn’t part of my plan - it wasn’t even a secret dream. My plate was full - a housewife (and all that goes with it), the mother of a 7 year old daughter and a 12 year old son who has cerebral palsy and autism, teaching fitness classes, doing personal training and leading the marriage ministry with my husband at my church…. Got the picture? Well God had another plan in mind.... and what a great plan it was! On Sept. 1st, 2008, I opened the newly remodeled, 3,550 sq. ft TIME 4 CLASS Dance and Fitness Studio. It's personal and intimate, challenging and fun. It's truly something special! Dance - SO YOU THINK YOU CAN’T DANCE? We’ll fix that. Whether you’re 4 or 64, whether you’ve never danced before or been dancing for 20 years, T4C Studio has something for you. We offer Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Jazz Funk and all with cutting edge choreography. When Tymme and Aury Reitz, founders of Word In Motion Dance Co., agreed to come on board, I knew this venture was a match made in heaven. Their dance company is highly respected in the dance industry and has worked with artists such as Madonna, Missy Elliot, Natasha Beddingfield, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera, to name a few. Fitness - DID YOU Sandy Rieback MAKE SOME NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS, AGAIN?! Are your work-outs boring? Do you need something new to inspire you? At T4C you’ll find classes you’ve never experienced anywhere else. The instructors are exciting, motivating and innovative! Whether it’s Zumba, PilateBarre, Boxing on the Bags, Yoga, Hip Hop Pump or Cardio Party, you will enjoy exercising! We have something for everyone! If you‘re tired of the same old gym scene, just know that here, you’re not a bar code, you’re a person. Sandy Rieback is owner of Time 4 Class Dance & Fitness Studio located at 9713 Lurline Ave. Chatsworth, CA 91311. You can reach her at (818) 700-1756 or look us up at www.t4cstudio ADVERTORIAL Northridge Resident to Lead American Cancer Society The California Division of the American Cancer Society appointed Charles G. Smith, Esq., chair of the Board of Directors. As chair, Smith will guide objectives that assist the Division with reaching its Vision 2015 goals, which include reducing cancer incidence 25 percent, reducing cancer mortality 50 percent, and improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. Smith has been a leading force in all aspects of the Society’s legislative and grassroots advocacy in Los Angeles and at the California Division for 14 years. He chaired the Society’s Continued on page 22 Monique Bryher, Broker-Associate/Realtor Commercial and Residential Real Estate Charles G. Smith, Esq. Distressed Homeowners: Watch Out for Scams! Homeowners who are behind in their payments should be on the alert for scams. You may be contacted by companies or individuals offering to help you work out a loan modification with your lender(s) or to provide other services to prevent a foreclosure on your home. If a Notice of Default (NOD) has been recorded “5% of my net commissions are donated to local non-profits” against your property, DO NOT PAY anyone an advance fee to assist you. California Civil Code Section 2945 forbids a real estate licensee or anyone falling under the definition of a “foreclosure consultant” from collecting advance fees under these circumstances. One version of a violation of CCC 2945 has been that some unethical real estate agents are charging upfront fees - almost always demanded in cash from homeowners with an NOD before listing their property as a “short sale”. If you are presented with RESEDA $154,900 TARZANA $684,900 such a situation, find yourself a different agent. The second area of potential violation comes REO - Bank-owned Condo ! – 1 BR / 1 BA, 660 Two Houses on One Big Lot! Main house 2 BR / 1.5 sq.ft. Great for first time buyer. Ground floor condo BA w/detached 960 sq. ft. guest house on a 17k lot in from attorneys, real estate agents or “foreclosure with a granite counter kitchen & bath and beautiful College Acres (Candy Cane Lane). New paint, roof, living consultants” who are offering loan modification wood floors. Spacious floor plan features an open room, formal dining room, 2 car garage.Guest house has counseling, loan negotiation or similar services. kitchen, dining area and living room. Community vaulted ceiling, fireplace, full kitchen. Great for multi- Again, if an NOD has been recorded against your property, advance fees are prohibited by CCC 2945. pool, security building, private patio. generational family or for rental/income property. On the other hand, if you are behind in your mortgage payments but an NOD has not yet been recorded, you may definitely ask a real estate agent, broker or an attorney to help negotiate a loan modification or other resolution to your property. In this case, that professional must have you first sign an agreement that outlines what services are going to be performed, when they will be performed and what the fees are. Before the agent has you sign the agreement, it must have been submitted to the California Department of Real Estate for review; if $299,950 approved, the broker may then use the agreement to CHATSWORTH $489,900 CHATSWORTH Park-like setting. Well maintained, move-in ready tra- Open, Airy Townhome! – 2 BR / 3 BA on 1,178 sq. collect an advance fee. Make sure you ask them! ditional – seller is motivated. Granite countertops and ft. Tri-level, vaulted ceiling w/newer appliances, overFor free housing counseling, contact the Federal newer appliances in kitchen, polished wood floors, inte- sized master bedroom, large balcony, indoor laundry Housing Administration or the non-profit Hope rior French doors, huge cedar-lined walk-in closet in room, direct access to 2 car attached garage. Alliance at http://www.995hope.org/. master bedroom. Plantation shutters, paver tiles in patio. Community pool. Close to schools and shopping. www.MoniqueBryher.com & www.SFValleyHorseProperties.com 818-430-6705 SANTA CLARITA $8,990,000 A Ranch for Kings 249 acres private ranch with reservoir and National Forest views. Has main house, entertainment lodge, 2 guest houses, 2 pools. Main ranch house has been restored and kitchen updated; newer roof. 45 minutes north of L.A. Has potential as vineyard or equestrian estates or vacation resort. SYLMAR $642,500 Horse Property Near Trails – 3 BR / 2.75 BA, 1,971 sq. ft. home on a 27,300 sq. ft. lot. Large pool, rec room, covered patio, new windows, new A/C and new heat; 2 BR guest house.Good for contractor or landscaper, plenty of room to park. Above real estate information, which has not been independently verified by this agent or broker, does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or boundary lines provided by the seller or obtained from other sources. Buyer to verify all information. Independent Member Broker. Properties above are not necessarily the exclusive listings of Monique Bryher of Keller Williams Realty Monique Bryher, Realtor Ca. Lic. #01766461 818-430-6705 Independent Consulting and Economic Analysis of San Fernando Valley Neighborhoods PAGE 18 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS JANUARY 2009 (Almost) Everything You Wanted to Know About Bonds Provided by MARTY LAFF, ChFC, Edward Jones Financial Advisor In the financial world, stocks tend to get most of the attention. But if you're going to make progress toward all your long-term goals, you need to be aware of all types of investments - and bonds can be an important part of your portfolio. Many people, however, don't fully understand how bonds work. So, before you invest in them, familiarize yourself with the "bond basics." Here are a few of them: Bonds are "debt" instruments. When you buy shares of stock, you're actually becoming an owner - although one of a great many - of a company. But when you purchase bonds, you are, in effect, loaning money to whomever issues the bond - a business or the government. If you hold the bond until it matures, you'll get your principal, or "par value," back (provided the issuer doesn't default) and, along the way, you'll receive regular interest payments. A bond's interest rate is known as the "coupon." Bond prices will fluctuate. Your bond's interest rate will not change over the life of the bond. However, the price of your bond can fluctuate, an important factor to keep in mind if you plan on selling your bond before it matures. A bond's price will move in response to several variables, chief among which is interest rates Bond invest- TAKING AN INTEREST IN BONDS MAY HELP PROVIDE INTEREST FOR YOUR FUTURE You’re Invited ... Owning investments that may provide you with a regular income can be a smart decision. That’s why it’s a good idea to learn how fixed-income investments such as bonds may help you to reach your financial goals. Join us for our free Focus on Fixed Income seminar. You’ll learn more about: Bond characteristics and features The relationship between interest rates and bond prices Tax advantages of municipal bonds How bonds may help you weather fluctuating markets • • • • Seating is limited, so reserve your place today. Date: January 10, 2009 Time: 10am-11am Location: 9677 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, RSVP: 818-886-4670 Marty Laff, Financial Advisor www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC ments are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds can decrease and the investor can lose principal value. For example, suppose you own a $1,000 bond that pays a 4 percent interest rate. If new bonds are issued at 5 percent, no one will pay you the full $1,000 for your 4 percent bond, so, if you wish to sell, you will have to offer it at a discount. Conversely, if market rates fall to 3 percent, your 4 percent bond will become highly desirable, so you could sell it for more than the $1,000 par value. Different bonds have different "ratings." If you buy a corporate bond, you'll have a choice between investment grade bonds those receiving the higher "grades" issued by rating agencies, such as Moody's or Standard & Poors - and "junk" bonds those getting the lowest grades. The higherquality bonds carry less risk of default but pay a lower interest rate than the "junk" bonds, which must offer the higher rates to attract investors who may be worried about default risk. Generally speaking, you're probably better off by sticking with "investment grade" bonds and staying away from the "junk." Some bonds can be "called." A callable bond is a bond that can be redeemed - or "called" - by the issue before its maturity. If interest rates have declined since the bond was originally issued, companies will call bonds and reissue them at the lower, Marty Laff prevailing interest rate, thereby saving money on interest payments. As an investor, this could be cause for concern, because if your bond is called, and you wanted to reinvest the proceeds in a new bond, you'd likely have to accept a lower coupon rate. Consequently, you may want to look for a bond that offers "call protection" - a promise that a bond can't be called before a certain time. To determine if bonds are appropriate for your individual situation - and, if so, what type of bonds - see your financial advisor. By adding bonds to your portfolio, you may well give yourself a broader platform for success. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial advisor. To contact Marty Laff, call 818-886-4670. ADVERTORIAL Tired of Headaches? Just Read This By Dr. JOSEPH CHUN Did you know that having headaches with any regularity is NOT normal? And yet it is very common. Many people suffer day in and day out living with this annoying, painful, or sometimes debilitating problem. If you are like most people, you’ve tried all kinds of pills; you may have even sought professional help. Some of you may have found a temporary solution. Some might have simply been told to live with it. Most have just resigned to the sad idea that for them, living with headaches is normal for them and taking pills is the only solution they have. More than 85% of our patients get relief from their headaches permanently. What’s more amazing is that they are getting that relief without medication and without pills. Some have experienced relief for the first time after 20+ years of just “living with it.” So how do we achieve such remarkable results? We start by recognizing that the headache itself is not the problem. It is a symptom of the problem. Headaches are your body’s way of alerting you that there is a problem. Simply turning that alarm off will not fix the problem and therefore, the ignored problem will only continue to worsen and the headaches will come back again and again. We have found that if you correctly identify the cause of the Dr. Joseph Chun headache you stand a significantly better chance of getting rid of them for good. If you or a loved one is suffering needlessly, there is a wonderful solution. You can make the decision that millions of people around the world and many here in the San Fernando Valley are making every month. It all begins with a thorough history and consultation, including a complete spinal exam, vital nerve testing and specific weight bearing x- Continued on page 22 Inside the Law Do You Have Counsel on Retainer? By Rich Miller Esq. Every now and then, it would be extremely convenient to have an attorney “on call” to ask a question about actual or potential legal issues. Suppose you receive a threatening letter – or you want to send an adversarial letter to protect your rights. Suppose you have a contract you want Rich Miller reviewed. Maybe you have some estate planning questions you would like answered. Perhaps you would like an attorney nearby for all this, but do not want to pay a high hourly rate. If so, you can easily have an attorney on retainer at a modest cost of $325.00 for the first 3 hours and then 20%off regular rates for the remainder of the year. Please check out our ad and/or website or give us a call for further details, (818) 895-8234. ADVERTORIAL JANUARY 2009 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS Does Your Business Keep You Up At Night? How To End Those Sleepless Nights Provided By: TONI SPEYER, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Whether you are an entrepreneur in the startup phase or an established business owner looking to sell or transfer your business, today’s business world provides plenty of worries. Take a few moments to think about the business issues that have you staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m. If you are like most business owners your stay-awake issues probably include: • Rising cost of health insurance/benefits • Recruiting and retaining employees • Safety and security of the business • Having enough money to retire To address these and other issues, it’s important that you take the time to develop an integrated approach to creating a strategic financial plan for both you and your business. The challenge is that each financial area is interdependent with the other, and the success of your business is dependent upon how you manage and plan for your own personal financial needs. Developing An Integrated Approach: What You Need To Consider There are four basic areas of your business to consider and frankly, to protect. 1. Risk Management Are you protecting your business assets (physical and people) from loss? Is your liability insurance up-to-date? Is your intellectual property protected? How will business expenses be paid if you become disabled? What if a key employee died or became disabled? 2. Employee Benefits Do you want and need to attract, retain, or reward key employees? Are you providing the right employee benefits (group health, life, long-term care and executive benefits); not only for your employees, but for you, too? 3. Estate and Business Succession In the best of situations, you plan to someday retire from your business; either by passing it on to a family member, a partner, an employee or maybe you plan on selling it or even liquidating it. When do you want to exit the business? Who will be your successor? What is the value of the business? 4. Personal Goals Your business is the economic and emotional driver for you and your family, allowing you to maintain a standard of living. It is your primary investment. In many ways, the business is a mirror reflection of who you are and what you want to be. It is difficult to separate financial goals of the business from personal financial goals. Do you have the flexibility to grow your business, while also providing for your family? Don’t Go At It Alone To help address all of these areas successfully, it’s important that you work with the right person or people that understand your personal and business goals to make sure all bases are covered. Many business owners turn to an individual or board to help in this area, which can consist of your accountant, financial representative, or lawyer. Of those using an advisor, 66% pre- fer one advisor for both personal and business needs. Every business and industry has unique issues and challenges, which lead to unique financial needs and concerns, based on the parToni Speyer ticular size and type of business and the stage of development relative to business life cycles. It’s important that you be cautious in working with anyone who uses a one size, one product approach for addressing your business and/or personal needs, because the reality is there is no one size fits all solution to running a successful business. To find a financial professional you are comfortable with, tap into your network of friends, business associates or other professionals for recommendations. When interviewing a financial professional, consider if they have done their homework and truly understand your specific business needs. Do they ask specific questions or just make assumptions? Can they provide you with personal and business advice? Does the individual have access to other specialists outside of their area of expertise that can bring value to your business? No one financial professional, on their own, can possibly do an appropriate job of attending to and properly addressing the variety of complex issues facing today's business owner. And because of this, it is increasingly important to select and work with professionals that have affiliations with other licensed professionals who specialize in the specific areas that you foresee becoming concerns in your business. At the end of the day, the financial professional or team is one that listens to your needs and then steps back and acts as your guide to bring the appropriate resources and experts to fit your needs. He or she can help you end those sleepless nights. To contact Toni Speyer, please call 818-426-6340, e-mail her at [email protected] or visit her Web site at www.nmfn.com/toni.speyer. ADVERTORIAL PAGE 19 PAGE 20 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS JANUARY 2009 JANUARY 2009 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS Minimally Invasive Techniques The Mid Face Rejuvenation By Dr. Raffi Dishakjian M.D. The mid face is traditionally one of the most overlooked areas in facial aesthetic rejuvenation. While traditional facelifts correct gross laxity of facial structures (skin, muscles and ligaments), they do not address the underlying volume loss that the aging face suffers, specially in people who maintain their ideal body weights in their 40’s, 50”s and beyond. Not only is a facelift associated with high cost, downtime, risk of scarring and nerve damage, it also often result in a “hollow” look if volume loss of the mid face is a significant underlying problem. Fat is perceived as aesthetically undesirable in the popular culture, yet it has a critical role in the appearance of the youthful face, including not only the cheeks, but also the temples, chin, lips and forehead. In the youthful face the high cheek fat pads give the face its oval shape. As we age, the cheek fat pads shrink in size and migrate down with gravity, resulting in early jowling and exposing the lower eyelid fat margin. Thus the aging face often loses its oval shape to appear empty in the mid-face and square in the lower face. The aesthetic importance of the cheek fat pad volume is most readily appreciated by noting the improvement of the mid face contours while smiling. In some patients, simple volume augmentation of the mid face alone will make a huge difference in rejuvenation. In others, additional procedures (like invasive and non-invasive facelift procedures, laser resurfacing, Botox ® and or photofacials) may be needed for optimal results. There are a variety of techniques for mid face augmentation including fat grafting, facial implants and injectable fillers. While fat grafting with one’s own fat may offer the longest lasting correction, it has its downsides, like significant downtime (about 2 weeks or more) and the need for repeat procedures (~50 % of implanted fat may not survive). The longevity and efficacy of this procedure is also very technique dependent. Facial implants, on the other hand, are made of surgical grade silicone rubber and placed through the mouth right over the bony structure of the cheek. While they may give the patient a long term volume correc- tion, these implants may have significant downsides. These include a prolonged recovery time (~2 weeks downtime), prolonged swelling and numbness, bleeding, infection, over/under correction and migration/movement of the implant and may need to be changed or removed. Needle based injectable fillers are an attractive alternative to the above discussed options. The two main FDA approved products that are useful for this purpose are Sculptra® and Radiesse ®. Both are considered relatively long lasting particle based BEFORE AFTER fillers. Once injected into tissues, the carefully designed microscopic particles in these fillers stimulate the collagen producing cells of the body to deposit a matrix of new collagen fibers around these particles, leading to long lasting volume correction. Experience has shown these fillers to be Continued on page 23 RZBC PILATES …toning for Every Body Call for info or to make an appt: @ 818-458-3037 You will tone muscle, increase flexibility, lose weight, strengthen your body, recover from injury, & just stay in shape. All levels of Mat Classes are also available. Botox, Restylane, Radiesse, Sculptra, Chemical Peels. To learn more, visit us at www.nuvelaesthetica.com PAGE 21 Smokers Should “Whiten Up” After Kicking the Habit By DR. BERNIE VILLADIEGO, DDS With the Great American Smoke Out quickly approaching, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is joining the efforts in encouraging smokers to kick the habit in 2009 and reward themselves with a teeth whitening treatment from an AACD member cosmetic dentist. “Tobacco users place themselves at an increased risk of oral, lung, and throat cancer,” said AACD member cosmetic dentist Dr. Bernie B. Villadiego. “In addition to the well-documented health benefits associated with quitting smoking, those who give up tobacco products can dramatically improve their smile by undergoing teeth whitening procedures. Plus, a bright smile is always more Bernie Villadiego, DDS appealing when it is accompanied with fresh breath.” According to the American Cancer Continued on page 24 PAGE 22 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS JANUARY 2009 Northridge Resident to Lead American Cancer Society Is a Power of Attorney Really Necessary (Continued from page 17) Los Angeles Regional Council from 2005-2007 and headed its public issues committee and elected officials constituent team for many years as a Council member. Smith served on the Division’s legislative advocacy workgroup while serving as a Division board member and is a legislative ambassador. He recruited advocacy volunteers, collected tobacco tax signatures and conducted countless advocacy and tobacco tax trainings and media interviews locally and nationally. On behalf of the American Cancer Society, he served as president of the Coalition for Healthy California and was presented with the American Cancer Society’s Capitol Dome Award by the organization’s national board of directors in 2006. An attorney with Towle, Denison, Smith & Tavera, LLP he has provided invaluable guidance to staff and outside counsel in preparing the Division’s amicus briefs in the RJR/Lorillard lawsuit against the Proposition 99 campaign. Smith’s ongoing counsel was instrumental in helping the Society track and respond to court action. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. By THOMAS CHRISTOPHER, ESQ. The answer to this question is YES!!!...and I’ll tell you why. An effective Power of Attorney document can avoid the necessity of petitioning a Court to place a Conservatorship and save you THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS in court costs and attorney’s fees. Comparatively, the cost of Power of Attorney documents usually range from $100 to $300. Under California law, another person, your “Agent” can be given the power to transact financial matters, make a Will or Trust, transfer property to and from a Trust, go to the bank, buy or sell property, file tax returns or make necessary medical decisions for you under a Power of Attorney document. These powers can be effective immediately or only upon becoming incapacitated. If you already have a Power of Attorney, you must make sure that your documents are effective. That “great deal” you got on your Power of Attorney Documents online, or from the paralegal service, may be no deal at all. The fact is that Power of Attorney documents are only as effective as the powers they specifically set forth. Most people that have a Power of Attorney document have a “Short Form” document that fails to list specifically the powers you wish to give to your Agent. As a general rule, if your Power of Attorney document does not specifically state that your Agent has a power…..your Agent Thomas P. probably doesn’t have Christopher, Esq. the power. Most people find out that their own documents are ineffective after it’s too late and are faced with having to file a Conservatorship proceeding. Because of the important nature of the powers given to your Agent, you must carefully decide who will be your agent and under what circumstances they will be able to act on your behalf. If you or your family members have questions regarding a Power of Attorney document, please call or e-mail my office today at (818) 360-9500 to schedule a free consultation. Thomas P. Christopher, Esq., Christopher Law Group, Inc., 11260 Wilbur Ave., Suite 100, Porter Ranch, California 91326, [email protected]. Your E-mail Faux Pas Affects Your Bottom Line By ROBIN KELLOGG Have you ever received a business e-mail composed in all capital letters or one that seems to use texting language instead of English? You wonder what these business owners are thinking when they allow an email with misspellings and other errors to go out online. Remember: E-mail’s are not private. You are sending them over the Internet. Your recipient can easily forward them to someone else. Everything that leaves your office or has your logo on it reflects positively or negatively on your business. Unfortunately, e-mails have become electronic sticky notes written in short hand without any consideration for how they may be received. To start off the new year right, here are some suggestions on how to produce more business appropriate e-mails. • Never use all capital letters. In emailese this translates into screaming or yelling. Not a good way to impress a client or business partner. • When addressing an e-mail to several recipients, always use BCC (blind carbon copy). Your recipient will know it is from you to them, but will not be able to see the e-mail addresses of the other recipients. This is your way of protecting your clients’ information. • Use a type font and size that is easy to read. It is easier on the eyes. • If you are going to use abbreviations keep them to commonly accepted ones like Inc., Co., etc., ASAP. Avoid using text language. It is not universal and may not be understood by some of your recipients. • Read the e-mail before you send it. We’ve all made this error. Take a few extra moments to make certain the e-mail says what you want it to say. • Add a disclaimer. Depending on your type of business or company size, you may find it useful to add a disclaimer to the bottom of your e-mail. For instance, your disclaimer might say that you take not legal responsibility for what your employees state in an e-mail. It’s a way to protect yourself from legal action. • Avoid using e-mail to discuss confidential information. Phone calls, letters or personal meetings are much better and safer ways to impart this information. • Keep your sentences and paragraphs short and to the point. Robin Kellog These are only a few of the many ways to improve your e-mail correspondence. Think of e-mails as online business letters. Whatever you would not print on your company letterhead, do not send in an e-mail. Robin Kellogg, owner of R. Kellogg Associates provides companies of all sizes with text for their websites, brochures, sales letters and other marketing materials. She can be reached at 818-993-5468. Dr. Joseph Chun (Continued from page 18) rays. Normally, this evaluation would cost $250. However, through this special community awareness offer, you can receive this complete evaluation for just $39. Because of the response expected from this incredible opportunity, we can only guarantee availability for the first 39 people who call and schedule an appointment. Don’t wait to call us before spreading the word to another family member or friend who may be ready to take advantage of such a generous offer. Call (818) 280-2486 today! We are located at 21039 Devonshire St. between Bank of America and IHOP, across from the Burrito Factory in Chatsworth, CA. We look forward to helping you back to health! (818) 280-2486 ADVERTORIAL JANUARY 2009 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS Give Yourself a New Years Gift of Health – Detox Your Body By FRANI LEVINSON, R.E. We have so much going on, even after the Holidays, and now is not the time to forget about ourselves… We need to keep positive. We need to keep on striving for what we stand for and what our goals are. We need to believe in ourselves. We need to keep our health up so that we can function properly - physically and mentally. In my quaint little clinical office located in Granada Hills near Chatsworth Street lies a wonderful experience a-waiting you! We are talking Body Detox. It is a simple method. You step into a warm, soothing foot bath and for 30 minutes you relax in a comfortable chair and just zone out if you want. Relax. Read a book…read one of my wonderful magazines! The process will take care of you and you will not feel a thing! Just relaxation. Toxins are everywhere. They enter our bodies from foods sprayed with pesticides, our water, the air we breath, etc We ingest many loaded chemicals. My Detox machine can help you feel better and clean your system up. This Detox machine purifies the body through electrolysis of the water, removing toxins and balancing pH through regular use. Even with just one session Frani Levinson your body will experience a difference. There is so much to talk about regarding this Detox system, but I strongly recommend you make a point to come on in and try it! I will fill you in on more details upon your Detox treatment. I will be able to detect what you possibly need to quit doing to your body, and even what you may want to change. The machine does not lie. Come in and try it. By appointment only please. Oh, and by the way, my office DOES have many wonderful magazines to read, ask anyone who has been there for a visit! I’m conveniently located at 10718 White Oak Ave. #6A in Granada Hills, 818-366-6643. ADVERTORIAL PAGE 23 Family Matters (Continued from page 3) Your influence as a parent is far greater than you probably have ever stopped to realize. I began teaching my two children common sense values when they were pre-school age. As a result of doing so, I have witnessed them grow into happy, successful young adults. You could liken it to an investment. Take the time and effort now to make continual deposits into your child’s “bank account” of wisdom, and within time, little bits of wealth will accumulate. And by the time your child reaches the age where he/she really understands the concepts of “giving back” and “contribution”, you could even consider that these efforts are “interest” that you have accumulated!—a little bonus, not only for him/her but you and your whole family and even the community in which you live. I guess it comes down to asking ourselves an important question: “What do I want for my child-- a happy, successful life based on right choices or a morally bankrupt one based on unhappiness and failure? Our answers and actions will determine the result. As for me, I feel I am one of the wealthiest moms on the planet, and I like to make daily “withdrawals” from my kids—hugs and kisses for doing a good job! Nancy Cartwright is a mother of two, the Honorary Mayor of the San Fernando Valley, voice-artist and co-founder of Happy House, a non-profit whose purpose is “Building Better Families”. You can find out more by visiting her website at www.nancy cartwright.com or www.happyhouse.org. Dr. Raffi (Continued from page 21) remarkably safe over the long term, with the effects lasting from 1-4 years, depending on the product and the patient. Since these particles are eventually completely absorbed, there is little concern of long term effects and migration of the product with aging. In addition, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure decreases the associated swelling, bruising and downtime. The volume correction can also be done in stages so as to avoid overcorrection or to address any imperfections. When addressing mid facial aging and volume loss, volume augmentation recap- tures the fuller, more youthful version of one’s face without the unnatural look that results from a surgical facelift procedure. Raffi Dishakjian M.D. specializes in minimally invasive facial rejuvenation techniques at Nu Vela Esthetica in Porter Ranch, CA. He is a Board Certified physician and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and has extensive experience with needle based fillers for facial rejeuvenation. To learn more visit nuvelaesthetica.com or call 818832-4500 for a free consultation to discuss you facial rejuvenation needs. ADVERTORIAL Supersize Your Checking Account! And get lots of sides....for free! Open a Free Checking account and you can get: • FREE ATM/Check Card • FREE Bill Payer* • FREE Internet Banking • First Box of Checks FREE Plus, you can use any 7-Eleven ATM and you won’t pay ATM fees! * Transactions in excess of 25 per month are just $.35 each - less than the cost of a stamp! Must be activated and used within 30 days to avoid a $5 monthly inactive fee. Your Money is Safe at MCCU! Bauer Financial is an agency that rates banks and credit unions based on financial safety and soundness. Ratings are based on capital ratios (net worth) and other criteria including liquidity, profitability/loss trend, delinquent loans and charge-offs. A 5-star rating is Superior and a ZERO is the lowest rating available. Matadors Community Credit Union Bank of America Wells Fargo Bank Union Bank of California ZERO Downey Savings Chatsworth ~ Northridge ~ Van Nuys (818) 993-6328 ~ www.matadors.org Your better alternative to a bank since 1963 Accounts NOW Federally insured by NCUA to $250,000! Support our Advertisers…They make North Valley Community News possible! PAGE 24 NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY NEWS JANUARY 2009 Villadiego (Continued from page 21) Society Cigarette Calculator, a tobacco user that smokes an average of two packs of cigarettes per week will spend over $600 a year on tobacco – money that could be put toward a teeth whitening treatment instead! Dentist-supervised teeth whitening products remain the best method to help patients erase the nasty stains of tobacco products. AACD recommends all patients consult with their local AACD member cosmetic dentist to review their options for brightening their smile through teeth whitening procedures. The three most common teeth whitening options include: At-Home Dentist-Supervised Treatments - Patients wear a custom-fitted mouth tray containing whitening gel for a few hours each day or night. Trays can be adjusted to lighten individual teeth. The average patient wears the tray for one to two weeks. Severe tobacco stains can often be removed with extended use of an athome whitening system prescribed by an AACD member cosmetic dentist. In-Office Power Whitening - A whitening gel containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. Desired results can often be achieved in just one visit to an AACD member cosmetic dentist. Often, at-home treatments, as described above, may be recommended to enhance the effects. Over-the-Counter Kits - While numer- ous over-the-counter (OTC) kits are now available, dentist-supervised treatments remain the safest way to remove tobacco stains. OTC trays often fit improperly and can release whitening gel that results in irritated gums and less effective results. A key point to note: dentists can monitor each patient's sensitivity in supervised treatments, but not with OTC kits. About the AACD Comprised of nearly 8,000 cosmetic dental professional in 70 countries around the globe, the AACD is the world’s largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to advancing excellence in cosmetic dentistry (comprehensive oral care that combines art and science to optimally improve dental health, esthetics and function). The AACD fulfills its mission by offering superior educational opportunities; promoting and supporting a respected Accreditation credential; serving as a userfriendly and inviting forum for the creative exchange of knowledge and ideas; and providing accurate and useful information to the public and the profession. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry visit www.aacd.com or call 800.543.9220. Dr. Bernie Villadiego is an Accredited AACD member cosmetic dentist practicing at 20933 Devonshire St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. For patient consultations, contact the doctor at 818-341-1345. ADVERTORIAL $45 off Voted Best Green Exterminator $25 off first, $15 off second and $10 off third visit NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. on work performed by February Life just got a little easier. Call for a free over the phone estimate 818-716-5568 Offer valid one time per household. 818-716-5568 Exclusively offering the Pink Glove Treatment™ Cannot be combined with other offers. Good at West Valley office only. www.mollymaid.com ©2007 Molly Maid, Inc. Each franchise independently owned and operated.